TSA Discovers Smoke Grenade and Other Unusual Items at Airports

A recent security screening at Watertown International Airport in upstate New York revealed an unusual item. TSA officers found a spent smoke grenade inside an aerosol container in a passenger’s carry-on bag. The discovery occurred during a standard inspection, adding to the list of unexpected items found by the TSA.

Yessenia Alvarez, a TSA officer operating the X-ray machine, noted the container’s odd appearance. She expressed concerns about it and called Lead TSA Officer Melissa Graffam for assistance. Alvarez remarked on her surprise at the screen, mentioning her familiarity with similar items from training.

Melissa Graffam also noticed something amiss with the item when viewing the X-ray image. The top of the can looked peculiar, appearing empty. Further inspection revealed an M18 smoke grenade inside the container. This incident was particularly notable for the small airport where typical finds are knives or large liquids.

The passenger claimed to have forgotten the grenade was in his bag, a detail Graffam found strange due to the bag’s minimal contents. Debra Alcock, acting supervisor, reported the incident to the Syracuse TSA Coordination Center, and an explosives expert confirmed the item’s inert status. Alcock highlighted the teamwork that resolved the situation smoothly.

Brian Bushnell, TSA’s security director for upstate New York, emphasized the importance of travelers checking their bags to prevent carrying prohibited items. Even spent, inert, or replica explosives can cause significant disruptions at checkpoints.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has also issued warnings about the potential dangers of vintage grenades. It is advised that travelers refrain from testing security systems with such items.

A separate incident at Tampa International Airport underlined similar issues. TSA Officer Andrew Carter discovered a knife hidden inside a flashlight. The flashlight appeared suspicious during an X-ray scan, prompting further investigation. The knife was concealed within a baseball bat-shaped flashlight.

Keith Jeffries, a security expert and former TSA director, warned travelers against attempting to bypass security measures. He emphasized that any efforts to test the system would likely result in detection and consequences.