TSA officers at Indianapolis International Airport recently intercepted two live smoke grenades hidden inside a traveler's checked luggage. (Credit: TSA)
INDIANAPOLIS - Last week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Indianapolis International Airport intercepted two live smoke grenades hidden inside a traveler's checked luggage, including one concealed inside a jar of peanut butter.
The prohibited items were detected during routine baggage screening and safely removed before the bag was loaded onto the aircraft.
Dig deeper:
It's among one of the strangest things found by the TSA, including turtles, razor blades and even a replica pipe bomb.
The agency detailed the security incidents in a post on its official Instagram account earlier this year, showcasing items discovered in both carry-on and checked baggage at airports across the country.
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The TSA is highlighting some of the most unusual items intercepted at airport security checkpoints across the country.
Among the discoveries:
- Boise Airport (BOI): Officers found a replica pipe bomb and imitation explosive materials inside a checked bag. TSA reminded travelers that both real and replica explosive devices are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage.
- Newark Liberty (EWR) and Miami (MIA): In two separate incidents, officers discovered turtles concealed on passengers—one hidden inside a traveler's pants at Newark and two hidden inside a bra at Miami. "What the shell!" TSA wrote.
- Denver International Airport (DEN): Officers found 20 razor blades wrapped in paper towels and hidden in a passenger's clothing.
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA): A carry-on bag contained heroin, fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, ketamine, acid tabs, Xanax bars and other suspected controlled substances concealed inside footwear.
- Quad Cities International Airport (MLI): A passenger attempted to conceal a knife inside a knee brace. "Knife try!" TSA said.
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC): Officers discovered suspected controlled substances hidden inside a toiletry container. TSA noted that while officers are not actively searching for narcotics, any suspected illegal items are referred to law enforcement.
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): Screeners found a knife concealed inside a child's car seat. TSA reminds travelers that knives and other sharp objects are prohibited in carry-on bags and must be packed in checked luggage.
- Miami International Airport (MIA): A passenger attempted to bring ammunition through a security checkpoint in a carry-on bag. TSA said ammunition is permitted only in checked baggage when packaged according to federal regulations.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Officers intercepted a firearm that had not been properly declared. TSA reminds travelers that firearms must be unloaded, secured in a locked hard-sided case and declared to the airline before flying.
- Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Passengers were stopped after attempting to bring ammunition and knives through security checkpoints.
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What they're saying:
Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog View From the Wing, said the unusual finds aren't surprising considering the number of people traveling every day.
"Nothing that airline passengers do ever surprises me — because with over 2.5 million people a day passing through security checkpoints (with varying degrees of expectations, forgetfulness and even sense), there are going to be extremely strange outliers," Leff previously told Fox News Digital.
He added that while the incidents should not be excused, publicizing them can help remind travelers to review TSA rules before heading to the airport.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. This story is based on information released by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This story was reported from Los Angeles.