A routine security check at Watertown International Airport (ART) in upstate New York took an unexpected turn when TSA officers uncovered a spent smoke grenade concealed inside an aerosol can in a passenger’s carry-on bag.
This discovery was reported by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in a release dated September 24.
While inspecting the bag, the officers identified the old M18 smoke grenade.
TSA Officer Yessenia Alvarez, who was monitoring the X-ray machine, expressed her concerns about the item. She noted that the aerosol container looked unusual.
“I really didn’t have a good feeling about it,” Alvarez said. She called over Lead TSA Officer Melissa Graffam to take a closer look.
Upon seeing the item on the screen, Alvarez was quite shocked. She mentioned having encountered similar items during her training.
Graffam also felt something was off about the item when she viewed it on the X-ray. “It looked funny,” she remarked.
She realized that the top of the container didn’t appear right, although it seemed empty. When she opened the side pocket of the bag, she discovered it was indeed an M18 smoke grenade.
Graffam acknowledged that finding such an item was rather uncommon for their airport, which typically sees prohibited items like knives and excess liquids.
When she inquired about the grenade, the passenger claimed he had simply forgotten it was in his bag, which Graffam found a bit odd given the few items he had.
Lead TSA Officer Debra Alcock, acting as the supervisor at the time, subsequently notified the Syracuse TSA Coordination Center and consulted with a TSA explosives expert, who confirmed that the grenade was not live.
For Alcock, this incident ranked among the most memorable finds she had encountered during her tenure with the agency. She praised the teamwork displayed in managing the situation, stating, “Everyone did their part to help control the checkpoint.”
Brian Bushnell, who oversees TSA operations for upstate New York’s airports, highlighted the importance of travelers checking their bags prior to departure. He stated, “Spent, inert or replica explosive items are not allowed through the checkpoint and can cause delays, disrupt operations, and prompt a law enforcement response.”
Bushnell advised that travelers should leave questionable items at home or consult TSA resources, such as TSA.gov, before packing.
Despite it being a common belief that spent grenades are harmless, officials underline that they can still pose potential dangers. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued warnings about older grenades.
In another recent incident at Tampa International Airport, TSA Officer Andrew Carter discovered a concealed 4-inch, double-edged knife hidden within a baseball bat-shaped flashlight while screening a passenger’s bag.
Keith Jeffries, a former federal security director for TSA, cautioned against testing the system, stating, “If you do, you will be caught.”
