Attempt to Smuggle 'Skull Bones' Wrapped in Foil Caught at US Airport: "For Ritual Use"

Authorities Decide to Destroy All Remains
US Customs Investigating How Human Bones Entered the Country

A traveler was caught attempting to pass through customs at Tampa International Airport in Florida, USA, while carrying human bones wrapped in aluminum foil.

A traveler was caught attempting to pass through customs at Tampa International Airport in Florida, USA, while carrying human bones wrapped in aluminum foil (photo is for illustrative purposes and unrelated to the article). Pixabay

According to a report by the New York Post on September 18 (local time), the passenger, identified as A, declared their belongings to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Tampa International Airport while re-entering the United States. During the ensuing customs inspection, authorities discovered part of a human skull and several bone fragments wrapped in aluminum foil inside A’s bag.

Carlos Martel, the local CBP director at Tampa International Airport, stated, "We found bones believed to be part of a human skull, multiple bone fragments, and also prohibited plants." It was also revealed that A was carrying cigars.

A explained that the bones were intended for use in a ritual, but CBP disposed of all the remains, citing that they could pose a serious public health risk. A reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to dispose of the items.

Director Carlos Martel warned on his social media account (X, formerly Twitter), "We never know what might be inside a passenger’s bag. However, smugglers should always remember that we will thoroughly inspect everything."

Authorities are currently investigating whether the confiscated bones are real human remains and how they were brought into the United States.

Tampa International Airport is known for its strict anti-smuggling enforcement, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) having seized numerous weapons and dangerous items there last year. In 2024, the TSA confiscated more than 1,500 firearms at airports across the United States, and Tampa International Airport ranked among the top ten in the country for confiscations, along with two other major airports in Florida.