TSA Discovers Spent Smoke Grenade at Watertown Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a surprising item during a routine security screening at Watertown International Airport (ART) in upstate New York. TSA officers found a spent M18 smoke grenade concealed inside an aerosol container within a passenger’s carry-on bag, as reported in a recent TSA release dated September 24.

TSA Officer Yessenia Alvarez, who was managing the X-ray machine at the time of the discovery, noticed something unusual about the aerosol container. Alvarez immediately consulted Lead TSA Officer Melissa Graffam, expressing concern over the item’s appearance. ‘I didn’t like how the item appeared,’ Alvarez stated, referencing her feelings of unease.

Graffam confirmed Alvarez’s observations, noting that the canister seemed odd, even appearing empty, and was located in the side pocket of a bag. Upon inspection, she identified it as an M18 smoke grenade. This type of discovery is uncommon at the airport where officers typically find knives and oversized liquids.

When questioned, the passenger claimed he had forgotten about the grenade in his bag, which contained only a few other items. Lead TSA Officer Debra Alcock contacted the Syracuse TSA Coordination Center and an explosives expert to confirm that the grenade was not active.

Alcock later praised the team’s effective management of the situation, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Brian Bushnell, TSA’s federal security director for airports in upstate New York, stressed that travelers must check their bags before traveling. He warned that items like spent, inert, or replica explosives can create delays and result in law enforcement being called.

The TSA advises travelers to leave potentially problematic items at home or consult resources like TSA.gov before packing. Spent grenades, although perceived as safe, still pose risks. Alerts have been issued by agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concerning vintage grenades specifically.

In an unrelated but comparable situation, TSA Officer Andrew Carter at Tampa International Airport discovered a 4-inch, double-edged knife hidden inside a baseball bat-shaped flashlight. This discovery highlights the continued vigilance and necessity for thorough screenings. Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group, affirmed that attempting to bypass security measures will not go undetected.