TSA officers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport uncovered a peculiar discovery on Wednesday when they found 17 bullets concealed within a “otherwise clean” baby diaper inside a passenger’s bag, according to a news release from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The incident unfolded when a male passenger’s carry-on bag triggered an alarm in the X-ray machine during a routine screening at a TSA checkpoint. The ensuing search revealed 9mm ammunition carefully concealed within the disposable diaper.
In a lighthearted tone, the TSA referred to the discovery as a “new definition of ‘dirty diaper,'” suggesting that the passenger might need a “bullet-proof plan” for packing his carry-on bag before future flights.
The passenger, identified as an Arkansas resident, initially claimed ignorance about the diaper filled with bullets in his bag. However, he later suggested that his girlfriend might have placed it there. Port Authority Police were alerted, and the 20-year-old passenger was cited for unlawful possession of the ammunition.
The Port Authority confirmed the issuance of a criminal summons for the unlawful possession of ammunition in connection with the incident.
The discovery occurred on the eve of what the TSA anticipates to be the busiest day of the holiday travel period. The TSA defines this holiday travel rush as a 12-day period starting on Thursday, expecting the highest volume of air travelers passing through security checkpoints.
The busiest days at airports are anticipated to be Friday, December 29 (which was the peak day last year) and Tuesday, January 2, as travelers return home.
The TSA estimates a six percent increase in passenger counts over the entire holiday travel period compared to the previous year.