NEWARK– Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Newark International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey recently intercepted a passenger attempting to smuggle more than a dozen bullets onto an aircraft, as per reports by PYOK.
Security personnel discovered 16 live rounds hidden in a tube of aluminum foil inside the traveler’s hand luggage. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein revealed on X that the bullets were meticulously wrapped in multiple layers of aluminum foil. It appeared to be an attempt to evade detection by X-ray machines. Each bullet was individually wrapped in foil before being concealed inside a cardboard tube of aluminum foil. All this was itself stored within an aluminum foil box. “Good try, but the TSA foiled the traveler’s attempt!”, TSA spokesman Lisa Farbstein said.
This incident follows another unusual discovery at Newark just weeks earlier. A TSA agent found a live turtle concealed inside a male passenger’s pants during a routine pat-down search. The situation unfolded when the passenger triggered an alert while passing through a body scanner, indicating something suspicious in the groin area. Upon further inspection, the agent discovered the passenger had hidden a live red-ear slider turtle wrapped in a blue blanket down his pants.
“We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes, and their luggage. However, I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants,” - Thomas Carter, Federal Security Director, New Jersey said. The turtle appeared unharmed, and the passenger missed his flight. He was questioned by Port Authority Police, though no information about potential criminal charges has been released.
In matters beyond Newark, a particularly notable smuggling attempt occurred at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). A passenger tried to conceal methamphetamine inside a shotgun cartridge. This strategy proved especially ineffective as the TSA’s primary responsibility involves detecting prohibited items like ammunition, whereas drugs, though illegal, fall outside their main focus. When TSA agents discover illegal items, they must follow protocol regardless of their primary objectives. In this case, police were summoned, resulting in the passenger’s arrest for the ill-conceived smuggling attempt.
Airport security agencies across the United States continue to intercept increasingly creative smuggling attempts, just like the Newark Airport Smuggling attempt. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last month, customs officials discovered over $100,000 worth of cocaine sewn into the lining of a passenger’s suitcase. The drugs were wrapped in carbon paper in an attempt to block X-ray detection. At Miami International Airport (MIA), security personnel recently found multiple endangered bird species sedated and hidden inside hair curlers in a traveler’s carry-on luggage. TSA officers at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) intercepted a passenger attempting to transport firearms components disassembled and distributed throughout various toiletry containers.
Experts note that smugglers continually adapt their methods, prompting security agencies to enhance screening technologies and training protocols. Despite sophisticated concealment techniques, officials emphasize that modern scanning equipment and trained personnel consistently identify prohibited items regardless of how creatively they are hidden. Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates. Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
