U.S. Transportation Security Administration officials confiscated two live smoke grenades from a traveler’s checked bag at Indianapolis International Airport last week, the agency said in a social media pinned to its profile.
TSA workers found one of the grenades hidden inside a jar of peanut butter, wrapped in a plastic Ziploc bag, according to photos posted to X. Security workers found both grenades in a checked bag, which undergo high-tech screenings once travelers drop bags off at airline counters.
It’s a somewhat rare occurrence for TSA to post prohibited items found in luggage. Last week’s post is the second so far in June featuring explosive devices. Otherwise, most of the agency posts are jocular, along the lines of photos of a cat going through TSA screening or of a rotisserie chicken in a carry-on.
Smoke grenades are prohibited by the TSA in both carry-on and checked bags when flying on a commercial airline because of their ability to ignite during a flight. TSA uses a computerized explosives device system to screen 100% of checked bags at the airport and flag bags for additional security checks.
Attempting to carry banned items, such as explosives, onto a flight can result in fines up to $17,000 and potential criminal charges. TSA did not say what repercussions the traveler faced for checking the grenades with their bag.
Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy TSA officials intercept live smoke grenades in checked baggage
Reporting by Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
