TSA agents were likely left in shock when they discovered a traveler had a skull and other human remains in their bag while at the Tampa International Airport in Florida.
The traveler initially declared they had 10 cigars in their bag before the luggage was looked through during a routine check. However, Carlos Martel, director of field operations, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the airport discovered a skull and other remains wrapped in foil inside of a duffel bag.
“CBP Agriculture Specialists uncovered prohibited plants, undeclared cigars, and a foil-wrapped duffel bag containing what looked like human remains, including part of a skull,” Martel wrote via X on September 18. “The traveler claimed the items were for rituals, but due to serious health risks, the items were seized and destroyed.”
Martel also shared images that showed a skull and other small bones inside aluminum foil. “At @CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick,” he concluded in the post, seemingly poking fun at the bizarre situation.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Attorneys Seek Sentence Close to Time He’s Already Served
It’s not currently clear how the traveler obtained the human remains or if there is an investigation to look into the manner.
Passengers that are traveling with remains that are meant for burial or cremation are required to bring death certificates, according to the customs website. It is also required that people traveling with human remains do so in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.
Are A$AP Rocky And Rihanna Actually Married? See His Response
When working with travelers carrying human remains, CBP officers are instructed to examine the death certificate to determine the cause of death and ensure that the remains are kept in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements. If CDC requirements are not met by the traveler, CBP will hold the casket and contact the appropriate quarantine station for following steps.
However, human remains are not subject to additional requirements if they consist of clean, dry bones or bone fragments, human hair, teeth, fingernails or toenails.
Additionally, human remains that are cremated before entry into the U.S do not require a death certificate when traveling.
