TSA agents encounter all kinds of unusual items but the Transportation Security Administration has released its list of the most bizarre discoveries at airport security checkpoints in 2024. The list includes hidden weapons, live animals and other strange items travelers attempted to smuggle.
At Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, North Carolina, agents found a hollowed-out jar of peanut butter concealing marijuana.
In Virginia, TSA officers at Williamsburg International Airport discovered a knife stuffed inside a shoe. The passenger claimed they were unaware of its presence.
At Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, gun parts were hidden inside a red combat boot, which was then stashed in a LEGO box. TSA agents at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said a knife was found inside the shell of a laptop.
Chicago’s Midway International Airport had an unusual find — a vape pen hidden inside a travel-size toothpaste tube. While vapes are allowed in carry-on bags, this creative concealment violated TSA rules.
Portland International Airport agents uncovered a gun wrapped in tinfoil and hidden in a teapot alongside shot glasses. At Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, methamphetamine was found wrapped in electrical tape and hidden inside crutches.
In Miami, agents discovered two live snakes concealed inside a passenger’s pants. TSA officials in El Paso, Texas, said they found a replica improvised explosive device disguised as a walkie-talkie in a carry-on bag.
The top discovery of 2024? A gun was found in the seat pocket of a baby stroller at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. TSA officers immediately alerted local law enforcement.
The TSA urges travelers to pack responsibly and review the list of prohibited items before heading to the airport. For travel tips and updates, visit TSA.gov.