China's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that a FedEx pilot detained over air gun pellets he carried has been released on bail. 

Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily media briefing, that the deputy captain of a FedEx cargo flight was detained on September 12 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou after 681 air gun pellets were found in his baggage. 

The pilot was arrested on suspicion of smuggling arms and ammunition by customs officials in Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport, where he was scheduled to board a flight to Hong Kong. 

The U.S. consulate in Guangzhou was informed on September 13 about the case and an investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, FedEx confirmed in a statement one of its pilots was taken into custody "after an item was found in his luggage prior to a commercial flight. We are working with the appropriate authorities to gain a better understanding of the facts." 

The pilot was identified as Todd Hohn, a former U.S. Air Force colonel, according to media report.