Traveler found with suspected human remains at Tampa airport says they were for rituals; bones destroyed by officials
Customs and Border Protection says the remains were seized and destroyed due to health risks as the case is handed to Homeland Security for investigation.
Tampa, Fla. — A Florida traveler attempting to declare 10 cigars at Tampa International Airport was found to be carrying what appeared to be human remains in a foil-wrapped duffel bag, authorities said. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists recovered the remains, including part of a skull, during the security screening process.
The passenger told airport staff that the remains were for rituals, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Carlos C. Martel, who disclosed the incident on social media last week. The items were seized and destroyed due to serious health risks, Martel said, adding in a post that: “we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick.”
In addition to the remains, authorities uncovered a host of illicit items at the security checkpoint, including prohibited plants, additional cigars and a foil-wrapped duffel bag that contained what appeared to be human remains. Investigators have not disclosed whether the traveler was detained, and the case has been handed to the Department of Homeland Security for further inquiry.
It remains unclear where the traveler was headed or where the person was coming from. Health and border officials emphasized that the remains were destroyed due to health risks, and no additional details about potential charges have been released.
Florida airports have long drawn attention for unusual smuggling attempts. In July, a Florida woman tried to smuggle two turtles through security at Miami International Airport by hiding them in her bra, one of which did not survive. In 2023, another woman was caught attempting to smuggle a four-foot boa constrictor in her carry-on at Tampa International Airport, claiming it was an emotional support pet. In 2018, a separate case involved a Ball Python wrapped in a nylon stocking hidden inside an electronic device at Miami International Airport.
National statistics from 2024 show a rise in firearms interdictions at security checkpoints, despite a slight overall decrease from the previous year. The Transportation Security Administration reported almost 6,700 guns confiscated in 2024. Florida accounted for 834 of those, with Tampa International Airport accounting for 135 gun seizures—the second-highest total among the state’s airports. Tampa International also ranked among the TSA’s top 10 nationwide for the number of passengers bringing guns through checkpoints in 2024, with Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International also making the state list.
Separately, a 2025 JD Power study ranked Tampa International as the second-best large airport in passenger satisfaction, underscoring a complex mix of challenges and strengths at the facility. Investigators said the latest incident remains under DHS oversight, and officials did not provide additional information about potential charges or future actions against the traveler.