Stolen Civil War Cannonballs Found in Alabama Airport Luggage

In early July, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent at Alabama’s Gulf Shores International Airport discovered a set of Civil War-era cannonballs in a passenger’s suitcase. This unusual find came during a routine security screening on July 18.

The relics were uncovered when an agent noticed a large, opaque item in a suitcase during an X-ray screening. Initially suspecting a medicine ball, the agent opened the bag to find five small cannonballs wrapped in paper towels. Lead TSA Officer Justin Dupree expressed surprise and concern, stating, My first thought was, ‘I couldn’t see a fuse and need to get some help quick.’ He was relieved to discover the cannonballs were inactive and not explosive.

This discovery marked a rare and unique incident for the TSA, as noted by Dupree: I’ve seen inert grenades and training munitions but never an Indiana Jones-esque stolen artifact-type situation. The largest of the cannonballs was about the size of a grapefruit and weighed similar to a shot put ball, yet contained no active components. Despite this, cannonballs remain prohibited items on airplanes.

Supervisory TSA Officer Richard Cash remarked on the incident, noting it was his first experience with a potential live explosive and only the second such incident at Gulf Shores International Airport since its opening in May 2025.

Further investigation revealed the cannonballs were stolen from Fort Morgan. The fort played significant roles in historic conflicts, including the Civil War. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office identified a juvenile suspect, who admitted to taking the artifacts and placing them in their grandmother’s checked bag without her knowledge. Fort Morgan staff had marked the artifacts, aiding in their identification. Despite the theft, Fort Morgan chose not to press charges, and the cannonballs were returned.

The TSA has been experiencing a busy summer, screening over 2 million passengers daily and encountering unusual items in luggage. Recent finds include live smoke grenades, an inert grenade, a pipe bomb look-alike, and a samurai sword hidden in a guitar case.