Weirdest Stuff the TSA Confiscated From Carry-on Bags in 2022

Image: Airport security checkpoint. (photo via Chalabala/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: Airport security checkpoint. (photo via Chalabala/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Laurie Baratti
by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 6:50 PM ET, Thu January 5, 2023

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just released a video revealing its "top 10" list of the strangest stuff the agency's officers found while screening airline passengers' carry-on bags over the course of the past year.

Most of the incidents involve the usual-people attempting to sneak drugs, guns, explosives and other weapons onboard-but 2022 definitely saw some truly bizarre attempts to get illegal items (a cattle prod?!) and methods of concealment past airport security checkpoints.

As a prime example, in December, a passenger was arrested at New York's JFK International Airport after TSA officers discovered disassembled parts of a .22 caliber handgun inside what appeared to be two jars of peanut butter in a carry-on bag. The firearm pieces had been carefully wrapped in plastic and stuffed into the jars, including a magazine loaded with bullets.

Another incident that enjoyed a good deal of press coverage occurred at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport in November, with a traveler trying to make it through airport security with a gun hidden inside a whole raw chicken that was stuffed into his bag. Another mention must also go to the guy who tried to clear a TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with a revolver hidden inside his PlayStation gaming console.

Here's how the TSA ranked last year's most fascinating confiscations from passengers' carry-on baggage, accompanied by some punny phrases (who comes up with these?!) featured in the agency's countdown video.

1. Fentanyl Candy (LAX) - "This isn't a trick or treat, but it is deadly."

2. Gun Inside of Chicken (FLL) - "No matter how you stuff it, this is a Glock-a-doodle-don't."

3. Peanut Butter Firearm (JFK) - "Here's a surefire way to get peanut butter and jaily time."

4. Gun in Arm Sling (ROC) - "We're not twisting your firearm, someone really tried this."

5. Knife in Laptop (RIC) - "This might be cutting-edge technology, but it won't fly with us."

6. Drug Scrunchies (BOI) - "This isn't the best way to put your hair up high."

7. Gun in a PlayStation (ATL) - "You don't want to play these games at the airport."

8. Cattle Prod Guitar Case (IAD) - "This shocking find wasn't music to our ears."

9. Inert Grenade (MKE) - "Let's put a pin in this idea, permanently."

10. Soiled Money Crutches (ELP) - "It's hard to imagine someone thinking this idea didn't stink."


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Laurie Baratti

Laurie Baratti

Assistant Editor

Laurie Baratti is an Assistant Editor for TravelPulse. She is a San Diego-based journalist whose work has previously appeared in publications like TravelAge West, SPACE, Modern Home + Living, Montage, and Sandals Life magazines. Travel writing has long been her passion, and she is always looking for excuses to explore the world outside of her native California. Laurie is also a lifelong equestrian, a proud pet-parent, and an underground advocate of the Oxford comma.

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