On October 4, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States reported an incident that occurred during a routine security check at Watertown International Airport in Northern New York. TSA officials discovered a used M18 smoke grenade hidden inside a aerosol canister carried in a passenger’s backpack.
Yessenia Alvarez, the TSA officer operating the X-ray machine at the time, described the aerosol canister as suspicious in shape. She alerted Melissa Graffam, the TSA chief officer, expressing her concern and shock at seeing the item on the screen. Alvarez mentioned that she had only encountered such items in training scenarios.
Graffam also shared her surprise at the unusual appearance of the item on the X-ray screen. Upon inspection, she found the used smoke grenade inside the side pocket of the passenger’s backpack. Discovering such an item was particularly unusual for this small airport, where enforcement officers typically encounter prohibited items like knives and oversized liquids.
When questioned about the presence of the smoke grenade in his backpack, the passenger claimed he had forgotten about it. TSA’s acting supervisor, Debra Alcock, informed the Syracuse TSA coordination center and explosives experts, who confirmed that the smoke grenade posed no explosive threat.
In a press release, TSA described the smoke grenade as one of the most memorable items discovered by Alcock during her tenure at the agency. Alcock praised the teamwork and effort put into resolving the situation at the security checkpoint.
Brian Bushnell, the Federal Security Director for TSA at Northern New York airports, advised travelers to carefully inspect their luggage before traveling. He emphasized that abandoned, inert, or replica explosives are not allowed through security checkpoints, as they can lead to boarding delays, disruption, and an overreaction from law enforcement.
Bushnell urged passengers to leave such items at home or consult the TSA resources available on TSA.gov before packing. He warned that many people underestimate the danger of used smoke grenades, emphasizing that these items can still pose risks.
Similarly, at Tampa International Airport in Florida, TSA officer Andrew Carter discovered a 4-inch double-bladed knife inside a baseball-shaped flashlight while inspecting a passenger’s carry-on luggage using an X-ray machine. Keith Jeffries, former TSA security director at Los Angeles International Airport, warned passengers in a Fox News interview not to test the system and risk getting caught.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of following security guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of all travelers. Authorities continue to stress the need for vigilance and cooperation to maintain airport security standards and prevent potential threats.