PHILADELPHIA — A tampered-with shotgun shell was found in the groin area of a man at Philadelphia International Airport.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Columbia County man was flagged on Sept. 30 and a shotgun shell was found beneath his clothing.
According to TSA officials, the closed inspection of the altered shell determined that the white powder concealed inside the shell was not an explosive. Philadelphia police determined that the shell contained methamphetamine and arrested the man, a resident of Orangeville, on a state charge.
Shotgun shells as well as any caliber of ammunition are prohibited from being carried through a security checkpoint.
“Our focus is in ensuring that nobody attempts to bring explosives onto a flight,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “We use technology and the skills of our officers and explosives experts to help ensure that explosives do not get past our checkpoints.
“In this instance, our explosives experts conducted a test to determine what the mysterious white powdered substance was and fortunately it was determined not to be an explosive. It is disappointing to see individuals attempt to hide items on their person or among their carry-on items in an attempt to conceal them. We are not looking for drugs, but when we come across them, we alert law enforcement and let them handle the situation.”
Spero commended his officers and explosives specialists for their expert handling of the situation. “It was a good catch and a job well done by all involved, including our law enforcement partners,” he said.
