Airport security is a fascinating field filled with stories that range from the bizarre to the unbelievable. Every day, diligent officials come across items that leave them scratching their heads. From live animals to unexpected contraband, there seems to be no end to the creativity of travelers when it comes to trying to bring the craziest things onboard a flight.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at ten of the most outrageous items discovered by airport security. It’s a journey that will leave you amazed and wondering how some people even came up with these ideas.
1. Snakes on a Plane
Let’s start our list off with a story that seems straight out of a Hollywood movie. It all happened at the Newark Liberty International Airport when a child approached TSA officials with an unusual report. Little did they know that their seemingly ordinary day was about to take an unexpected turn.
On the floor of the airport, the officials discovered a black snake slithering around. It turned out to be a ring-necked snake, measuring around 15 inches long, with a distinctive yellow ring around its neck. While it may seem unbelievable, it’s not actually illegal to bring a snake on a flight, as long as the airline approves and the snake is non-venomous.
2. A Cannonball
In 2012, a TSA employee at the Fort Lauderdale Airport stumbled upon something truly strange. Nestled in a diver’s suitcase, encased in coral, was an 18th century cannonball. Now, you might think that a cannonball submerged for centuries is harmless, but the TSA disagreed.
The coral-covered cannonball was determined to be explosively viable, and this discovery led to the evacuation of the baggage area. It was then taken by a bomb disposal expert for safe disposal. So, if you ever come across a cannonball during your travels, it’s probably best to leave it behind.
3. Two Hundred Tarantulas
Transporting animals across countries requires strict adherence to regulations, especially to prevent invasive species from wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. Unfortunately, a German couple seemed to have missed that memo.
At Amsterdam Airport, security officials discovered over 200 live tarantulas in the luggage of this adventurous couple. Alongside the tarantulas were grasshoppers, millipedes, and beetles, all neatly packed into little boxes. While it might sound like a scene from a sci-fi parody, this couple was charged with transporting live animals without a permit.
4. Tropical Fish
One would think that smuggling live animals on a plane is not only illegal but also highly impractical. However, Sharon Naismith thought she could pull it off. After landing in LA from Singapore, she was caught by TSA officials who noticed suspicious sounds coming from her skirt.
Upon inspection, they discovered 15 plastic water-filled bags concealed under an apron attached to her skirt. These bags contained a total of 51 live tropical fish, including a sought-after species of Arowana, valued at up to $30,000. Naismith was charged with importing regulated wildlife and sentenced to nine months of community service, while the fish were confiscated.
5. A Human Skull
Sometimes, airport security encounters items that make you question people’s judgment and motivations. One such incident occurred when a German professor was arrested at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for carrying a human skull in his bag.
The professor claimed to have purchased the skull for scientific purposes but was unaware that possessing human remains without proper authorization was illegal. This unusual discovery led to further investigation by Italy’s scientific police to determine the skull’s origin.
6. A Seal’s Severed Head
From one type of skull to another, TSA officers at Logan International Airport came across something truly bizarre: a severed seal’s head. A biology professor had found the seal carcass while walking on a beach and thought it would be a valuable teaching tool. Little did he know that removing body parts from dead animals is prohibited by federal wildlife laws. He now faces fines of up to $20,000 and a potential prison sentence.
7. Not Your Ordinary Chocolate
Drug smugglers often come up with creative ways to transport illegal substances, but so do the customs agents who tirelessly work to detect them. At JFK International Airport, officials found an unusually large number of chocolate bars in a man’s bag. However, upon closer inspection, it turned out that these wrappers didn’t contain chocolate but were filled with heroin. The estimated street value of the confiscated drugs was $400,000.
8. A Chihuahua
In a heartwarming and somewhat surreal story, a Chihuahua managed to sneak its way into an owner’s luggage. The tiny dog made it all the way to LA’s Gardea Airport before being discovered by TSA officers. Fortunately, the dog was returned to its owner, who was completely unaware of its presence. This story reminds us of the bond between pets and owners, even if it means risking a cross-country flight trapped in a suitcase.
9. Grenades
When it comes to dangerous items, one would hope that common sense prevails. However, there have been numerous instances of people attempting to bring grenades onto planes, sometimes unknowingly. Even inert grenades can cause panic, which is why it’s crucial to leave anything that resembles a weapon at home.
10. A Dead Body
While transporting deceased bodies on flights is allowed, it requires meticulous preparation and permits. However, some people still try to bypass the necessary procedures, leading to rather creative and illegal methods. One incident involved a man who attempted to fly with a deceased family member by disguising the body as a sleeping passenger. Needless to say, this unconventional approach was quickly discovered.
In conclusion, airport security encounters a wide range of strange and often illegal items during routine checks. From live animals to explosive devices, these discoveries highlight the lengths some travelers will go to bring the craziest things on board. However, it’s important to remember that airport regulations exist for everyone’s safety and well-being. So, the next time you’re tempted to bring something unusual on a flight, think twice and save yourself the trouble.
