A hapless airline passenger was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday after causing a full-scale security alert when he tried to smuggle methamphetamine through the TSA checkpoint hidden inside a shotgun cartridge.
The Transportation Security Administration said its officers were first alerted to the presence of something suspicious on the passenger when the man from Columbia County passed through the metal detector as he went to board a flight.
The metal detector ‘alarmed’ in the groin area, and the man was subjected to a pat-down search. Officers discovered a shotgun shell hidden down the man’s trousers, and on closer inspection, the cartridge appeared to have been tampered with.
On opening the cartridge, the TSA officers discovered a white powder and initially feared that it might be an explosive substance. It was only after explosive experts had been called in, however, that it was determined that the white substance wasn’t an explosive but actually methamphetamine.
“Our focus is in ensuring that nobody attempts to bring explosives onto a flight,” commented Gerardo Spero, the TSA’s Federal Security Director for Philadelphia.
“In this instance, our explosives experts conducted a test to determine what the mysterious white powdered substance was, and fortunately, it was determined not to be an explosive,” Spero continued.
“It is disappointing to see individuals attempt to hide items on their person or among their carry-on items in an attempt to conceal them.”
Spero added that while the TSA’s job isn’t to look for drugs when they are found, they are duty-bound to contact law enforcement. In this case, the passenger ended up being arrested on a state charge.
Guns and all kinds of ammunition, including shotgun cartridges and even inert rounds, are strictly prohibited in hand luggage at TSA checkpoints, so attempting to hide illegal narcotics in something that is already forbidden and can land you in a lot of trouble seems a pretty foolhardy move.
Last year, the TSA intercepted more guns on airline passengers than any other year in its history after a record 6,737 firearms were found on passengers and in their hand luggage at TSA airport security checkpoints across the United States.
The TSA has the power to fine passengers between $3,000 and $10,700 for attempting to bring a loaded firearm through an airport security checkpoint. Repeat offenders face a potential maximum civil penalty of $14,950 plus criminal referral.
