The 16 Most Outrageous Things TSA Intercepted This Year

On November 14, TSA agents found a loaded gun in the pocket of a baby stroller at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. Law enforcement officers were called to take care of the situation. You can be fined up to $15,000 for bringing a weapon to a security checkpoint.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a passenger tried to smuggle meth inside a bag of Epsom salts and meat jerky. But screeners flagged the bag and law enforcement was called. Another attempt to transport meth was spoiled at Portsmouth International Airport, New Hampshire, when officers detected a mass in a crutch.

A passenger hid a torch lighter and two knives in an energy drink can. But scanners can detect these things and concealing weapons can result in fines or criminal prosecution.

Even a dummy improvised explosive device (IED) is not allowed in either check-in or carry-on. This replica of a bomb was found by officers at El Paso International Airport.

Security agents caught this model rocket with residual fuel in a checked bag at Los Angeles International Airport and returned it to the traveler. No fireworks can fly on a plane.

The TSA typically doesn’t hunt for weed, but if it is discovered, you may be referred to law enforcement. In this case, the stash was found in a can of deodorant—a novel but unsuccessful attempt.

According to the TSA, cannabis products cannot contain more than 0.3% THC to be considered legal.

For some reason, people believe that aluminum foil can elude X-ray machines—it can’t. In this case, arms and 202 rounds of ammo were found in a checked bag covered with foil and placed behind a metal sheet.

A bloodied knife prop was intercepted at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in October. Even though they’re not real, weapon props are not allowed in carry-ons. But they can be checked in.

This summer, a passenger attempted to bring two grenades onto a plane flying out of Pittsburgh Airport. The grenades, both inert, were checked into a bag, but they were discovered by TSA officers. Apparently, a passenger’s friend said they could be carried, but grenades are not allowed—live, inert, or replicas. A smoke grenade was also discovered at a security checkpoint at the same airport this summer.

A passenger got two things wrong in August while going through airport security: 1. they brought a replica grenade; 2. the replica grenade was filled with hot sauce, a liquid, and was over the allotted 3.4oz.

As we stated above: Replica grenades are not even allowed in checked bags.

At Reagan Airport in Arlington, TSA agents confiscated a stun gun designed to look like a smartphone. Stun guns may be carried in checked baggage; however, the TSA requires that they be stored in a manner that renders them inoperable to prevent accidental discharge.

A woman tried to bypass the 311 liquid rule by hiding a big bottle of lotion in her groin area. Scanners, of course, spotted it and she couldn’t smooth over this incident.

Related: Is the U.S. About to Change Its Liquid Rule on Flights?

After one passenger was caught carrying a cane that concealed a dagger at Newark Airport, TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein advised travelers to check their walking sticks if they had been purchased at an antique store or had been gifted. Apparently, unknowingly bringing a concealed sword to the airport is not entirely uncommon.

Okay, this one isn’t outrageous. But it shows that the TSA rules can be trickier than you might imagine. The Magic 8 Ball is filled with liquid–more liquid than the TSA will allow. So, you won’t be able to clear security if you have one in your bag, but you can definitely check it in.

At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, TSA officers found a knife concealed in the cushion of a motorized scooter in May of this year. Once again: NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND—even replicas—are allowed on planes. Trying to sneak in one can cause you a world of trouble.