A Florida traveler caught with suspected human remains told airport staff they were for ‘rituals’, border officials said.
The horrifying discovery was made at Tampa International Airport as the passenger was declaring 10 cigars.
Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists said they recovered what appeared to be human remains, including part of a skull inside a foil-wrapped duffel bag.
They also uncovered a host of illicit items including prohibited plants, even more cigars and a foil-wrapped duffel bag.
When questioned, the traveler said the remains were ‘for rituals’ according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Carlos C. Martel, who posted about the strange discovery last week on X.
He said the items were ‘seized and destroyed’ due to ‘serious health risks.’
Martel also took the opportunity to quip about the situation, saying: ‘we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick.’
It is unclear where the traveler was going to or coming from or whether they were detained. The case has been handed over to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation.
Hellbound and Down 