Authorities at a Florida airport uncovered a suspected human skull and bones inside the carry-on luggage of a passenger, who claimed the remains were for use in rituals.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials made the grisly discovery during a routine baggage check earlier this week at the Tampa International Airport, according to Carlos Martel, the CBP’s director of field operations in Miami and Tampa.
“What started as a passenger declaring just 10 cigars at @FlyTPA turned bizarre,” Martel wrote in a post on X. “CBP Agriculture Specialists uncovered prohibited plants, undeclared cigars and a foil-wrapped duffel bag containing what looked like human remains, including part of a skull.”
The unidentified passenger then claimed that they’d brought along the items to use “for rituals,” but authorities provided no further details.
“Due to serious health risks, the items were seized and destroyed,” Martel said, adding that “at @CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick.”
Martel also shared a series of images in the post, including a close-up image of the bones and another showing a CBP officer sorting through the contraband.
Those traveling with human remains are subject to strict regulations, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Passengers bringing remains into the U.S. must provide a death certificate, unless the remains have already been cremated or embalmed.
