TSA Discovers Smoke Grenade Concealed in Passenger's Carry-On at New York Airport

A security screening at Watertown International Airport (ART) in upstate New York led to the discovery of a spent smoke grenade hidden inside an aerosol container in a passenger's carry-on bag. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported the incident in a release dated September 24. During the inspection, TSA Officer Yessenia Alvarez noticed the unusual appearance of the aerosol container while operating the X-ray machine. She expressed concern and called over Lead TSA Officer Melissa Graffam for a second opinion. Graffam confirmed that the item looked unusual and, upon inspection, found it to be an M18 smoke grenade. This find was noted as particularly unusual for the small airport, where officers typically encounter items like knives and oversized liquids. When questioned, the passenger claimed he had forgotten the grenade was in his bag. Lead TSA Officer Debra Alcock, acting supervisor at the time, notified the Syracuse TSA Coordination Center and a TSA explosives expert, who confirmed that the grenade was not live. Brian Bushnell, TSA’s federal security director for upstate New York’s airports, emphasized the importance of travelers checking their bags before leaving home, noting that spent or inert explosive items are prohibited and can cause delays and prompt law enforcement responses. He advised travelers to leave such items at home or consult TSA resources before packing. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued safety alerts regarding vintage grenades, which can still pose risks. In a separate incident at Tampa International Airport, TSA officers discovered a concealed knife inside a baseball bat-shaped flashlight during a routine screening.