A woman traveling from Los Angeles to Philadelphia was intercepted by TSA officers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday after her carry-on bag was found to contain nearly 90 prohibited items, including fireworks, knives, replica firearms, and pepper spray. The discovery occurred during a routine X-ray screening at Terminal 4. TSA officers flagged the passenger's bag for additional inspection after noticing an array of suspicious objects on the X-ray monitor. Upon opening the bag in the presence of the traveler, officials discovered 82 consumer-grade fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms, and a canister of pepper spray. Such items are prohibited in carry-on luggage, as stated by TSA regulations. Jason Pantages, Federal Security Director for the TSA at LAX, expressed concern about the discovery in an official statement. "The sheer number of prohibited items discovered in a single carry-on bag is extremely concerning," Pantages said. "Let this incident serve as a reminder to all travelers to double-check the contents of your bag prior to coming to the airport." Airport police and the LAX bomb squad were immediately notified and responded to the scene. The bomb squad confiscated the fireworks, which are categorized as explosives and are strictly forbidden in both carry-on and checked luggage. The passenger was interviewed by Los Angeles World Airports police, but no additional information about potential charges or further actions was provided. The TSA clarified that while certain items, such as knives, replica firearms, and small containers of pepper spray, may be permitted in checked luggage under specific conditions, explosives of any kind are strictly prohibited on aircraft. Travelers are encouraged to consult the TSA's "What Can I Bring?" tool available on the MyTSA app or to contact TSA representatives for clarification before traveling.
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LAX is one of several unusual cases reported in recent weeks. During the Thanksgiving travel period, a California man attempting to board a flight to Sydney was arrested after authorities found 70 pounds of methamphetamine-soaked clothing, including a cow onesie, in his checked luggage. Such cases highlight the importance of vigilance in airport security.
TSA reported that 2.6 million travelers passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on December 15, reflecting an increase compared to the same date in 2023. Despite the surge in holiday travel, the agency continues to emphasize strict adherence to safety regulations to ensure the security of passengers and airport personnel.
