Some of the Most Bizarre Objects People Have Tried to Sneak Past TSA

We’ve all forgotten that rogue pair of tweezers or full water bottle in our carry-on bag as we go through security, only to have to chuck it out before getting scanned. But TSA finds a lot more than make-up tools or the odd yogurt tucked away in travelers’ things.

In 2017, over two million passengers a day traveled through 440 federalized airports, and a record setting 3,957 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country. That averages out to 76.1 firearms per week. Twenty-nine firearms were discovered in one month alone at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Other dangerous, surprising and even just plain weird items confiscated by TSA from carry-ons, checked bags, and sometimes right off a passenger’s person include hand grenades, eels, a replica gun belt buckle, animals and even human skull fragments. Check out the snaps below to see what else TSA has discovered.

TSA #TBT January 2007 — This Los Angeles (LAX) traveler didn’t think his wardrobe through before coming to the airport. In addition to actual firearms, replica firearms (such as this belt buckle) are prohibited, as they can cause alarm in the airport/airplane environment.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 30, 2016 at 9:26am PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – This “monster” holding an inert grenade was discovered in a carry-on bag at the #EagleCounty (#EGE) Regional Airport in #Colorado. While this is a humorous novelty item, TSA officers don’t know items such as these are inert until explosives detection professionals, along with law enforcement, remove the item from the X-ray tunnel and resolve the alarm. This most likely will cause a closure of our checkpoint and lead to missed and delayed flights. Grenades, inert or otherwise, are prohibited from both carry-on and checked bags.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jan 30, 2015 at 3:10pm PST

What you’re seeing here is a cool little piece of history that was discovered in a carry-on bag by TSA officers at the Albany International Airport (ALB). It’s the original prototype of what is known today as the stabby cat. … Originally known in the mid-18th Century as “Ye Olde Cleaving Cat,” it was forged by famed blacksmith Jeduthan Jabb at his Williamsburg, Virginia shop. It had the same purpose then as it does today. Self defense. While they were permitted on wagons in the 18th century, they are not permitted in the cabin of a commercial aircraft today. … One more thing about Jeduthan Jabb. He wasn’t a very tall man. Not nearly as tall as this tale we’ve told you. In fact, he didn’t even exist. But hey, it really was discovered at ALB and it is prohibited. … Please pack these in your checked bags and be sure to familiarize yourself with local laws as these are illegal in some states.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 14, 2018 at 9:01am PDT

#TSACatch #TBT In May of 2012, a disassembled gun and ammunition were discovered in three stuffed animals at the #Providence TF Green Airport (#PVD). The frame of a .40 caliber firearm was in one animal; a magazine loaded with two .40 caliber rounds and firing pin was inside another; and the slide was inside a third animal. The necessary components to assemble a fully functional loaded firearm were concealed in the three toys. This is just another example of why our officers take a closer look at everything that comes through the checkpoint.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 30, 2014 at 2:57pm PDT

#TBT April, 2014 – An 8.5” knife was discovered inside an enchilada at the Sonoma County Airport (STS). While this was a great catch, the passenger’s intent was delicious, not malicious, and she was cleared for travel. It’s always important to double check your bags and enchiladas.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jan 28, 2016 at 10:30am PST

#TSATravelTips – Marijuana was discovered concealed in a jar of peanut butter in a checked bag at San Jose (SJC). As we’ve said before, we’re not looking for illegal narcotics, but we have to report them to law enforcement when discovered. #TSAGoodCatch

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 29, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

#FlashbackFriday – This #speargun was discovered in a carry-on bag at the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2012. Spear guns are prohibited in carry-on bags.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Sep 18, 2015 at 2:40pm PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – These #batarangs were discovered in a carry-on bag at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). While all throwing weapons are prohibited from carry-on bags, they may be packed in checked bags as long as they don’t violate any local laws.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 17, 2015 at 1:09pm PDT

#TBT August 2011 — Two birds were discovered during a pat-down that was being administered due to bulky clothing at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). They were wrapped in socks and taped to the leg and chest of a woman who was traveling to China. @USFWS officers arrested the woman on suspicion of smuggling and exporting an endangered species out of the United States. #TSAGoodCatch

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 9, 2015 at 2:45pm PDT

#TBT – In March of 2013, the contents of a checked bag at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) caught our officer’s attention. After alarming in the X-ray, our officers discovered 30 electric matches, a bag of potassium chlorate, a bag of titanium powder, and a suicide vest. All of the items were inert and the passenger was an explosives instructor traveling with his training aids. #TSAGoodCatch

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Apr 2, 2015 at 3:47pm PDT

#TBT 2012 – These eels were discovered in a passenger’s checked bag at the #Miami (#MIA) International Airport. Among many other things, the passenger was attempting to transport 163 marine tropical fish and 22 invertebrates to #Maracaibo (MAR). The passenger surrendered the items to the @usfws (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). #TSAGoodCatch

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jan 8, 2015 at 3:04pm PST

#TSACatch – #FBF to 2012 when this expended 84-mm anti-tank weapon (AT4) was discovered in a checked bag at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (#LBE) in #Latrobe, #Pennsylvania. Anti-tank weapons, expended or live, are prohibited from being transported in carry-on and checked bags.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Nov 21, 2014 at 6:34am PST

#StunGun #disguised as a pack of #cigarettes discovered at #Cleveland – #cle #stun #stunguns #tazer #tazers #shock #shocking #travel #aviation #tsa #instatsa #tsablogteam #tsagram #instagood #instacool #webstagram #instagramhub #photo #gov20 #gov #all_shots See and read more at http://blog.tsa.gov

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 28, 2013 at 4:24pm PDT

Discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Chicago #Illinois Midway (MDW) International Airport. See more pictures of prohibited items discovered this week at blog.tsa.gov

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Sep 20, 2013 at 3:26pm PDT

#TSACatch: This bejeweled lipstick taser was discovered this week in a carry-on bag at the Detroit (#DTW) International Airport. See more prohibited items on the #TSA blog at http://blog.tsa.gov

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Apr 10, 2014 at 3:04pm PDT

These comb-daggers were discovered in carry-on bags at the #Boston Logan International Airport and the Lambert – #StLouis International Airport, respectively. All knives are prohibited from carry-on bags, and concealed knives like the ones pictured can result in a civil penalty.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 19, 2014 at 3:16pm PDT

#TBT – In August 2011 at the #Miami International Airport (#MIA), seven small snakes (stuffed in nylon stockings) were discovered in a traveler’s pants. In addition to the snakes, he also had three small turtles. The snakes and turtles were found using TSA’s Advanced Imaging Technology which allows TSA officers to find potential threat items concealed from plain sight. @USFWS officers arrived on the scene and took custody of the reptiles. The passenger was arrested and charged with violating the Lacey Act.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Nov 13, 2014 at 4:56pm PST

#TSATravelTip: #Ecig’s and #vaping devices ARE permitted in your carry-on and checked bags. Unless they look like a grenade…This #TSACatch is a grenade-shaped vaping device that was discovered in a carry-on bag at the #SaltLakeCity International Airport. If an item looks like a grenade, it is prohibited. When these items are discovered, they can cause significant delays while explosives detection professionals resolve the alarm. While E-Cigs and vaping devices are permitted in your checked and carry-on bags, using them at an airport or on an aircraft depends upon the airport, airline, and local laws.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 9, 2014 at 12:27pm PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – This feather adorned ornate tomahawk was discovered last week in a carry-on bag at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). You guessed it… Tomahawks are prohibited in carry-on bags.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 11, 2015 at 9:07am PDT

#TBT – This belt of ammo was discovered several years ago in a carry-on bag at the Richmond International Airport (RIC). Ammo may be transported in your checked baggage as long as it’s securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Read more: bit.ly/travelingwithfirearms.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Sep 3, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

#TSAGoodCatch – An inert anti-tank projectile was discovered in a checked bag at the Tulsa International Airport (TUL). Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a real bomb, projectile, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited. When these items are found at a checkpoint or in checked baggage, they can cause significant delays because the explosives detection professionals must respond to resolve the alarm. Even if they are novelty items, you are prohibited from bringing them on the aircraft.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on May 26, 2015 at 3:43pm PDT

#TBT In April of 2013, our officers discovered human skull fragments in clay pots at the #FortLauderdale International Airport (#FLL)! The fragments weren’t a security threat, but they slowed down the screening process because the screening area became a crime scene! The passengers had just purchased the clay pots and had no idea skull fragments were inside.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Mar 12, 2015 at 9:11am PDT