An off-duty law enforcement officer spotted the traveler place the weapon inside their prosthetic leg before alerting TSA

Authorities made an eagle-eyed observation at a Hawaiian airport as a passenger was seen hiding a knife inside their prosthetic leg, according to the TSA.

An off-duty law enforcement officer traveling out of Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on personal travel reported witnessing the discreet placement to lead TSA officer Rayani Camara, according to a June 19 press release from TSA HNL.

Camara subsequently reported the situation to supervisory officer Michael Bugarin. When the passenger arrived at the advanced imaging technology screening area, the officers informed them that additional screening was required. After reviewing CCTV footage, the officers confirmed the passenger “placed an item on his prosthetic leg at the divestiture table,” where travelers place their personal items before passing through a walk-through metal detector.

Passengers passing through TSA security checkpoints may voluntarily remove their prostheses, casts, support braces, slings and other support appliances prior to screening and submit them for X-ray screening, according to TSA’s website. However, the Amputee Coalition reports passengers are never required to remove them. The devices are subject to additional screening including inspection, hand-held metal detector screening, a test of the hands and a test of the medical device for trace of explosives.

In this case, the passenger submitted their prosthetic for X-ray screening, which revealed a folding knife in the underside heel of the foot. The traveler was then denied entry and was escorted out of the checkpoint.

Hawaii TSA federal security director Nanea Vasta said the incident “is a powerful reminder that situational awareness is essential at every moment — not just during routine screening.”

Vasta further commended both Camara and Bugarin and thanked the traveling public, “whose alertness plays a vital role in our shared mission of safety.”

Last month, the TSA reported a passenger traveling through Indianapolis International Airport attempted to conceal two live smoke grenades, one of which was “jammed into a full jar of peanut butter.”

According to a June 25 press release, the passenger’s bag set off alarms and prompted a supervisory officer and explosives specialist to inspect the baggage.

“After all contents were removed from the bag, I thought, ‘Weren’t there two grenades in this bag?’” Michael Dunphy, an 18-year TSA explosives specialist, said in the press release. “After additional inspection of all the contents in the bag, it became obvious the second grenade was in the peanut butter jar, so I was surprised!”

Source: https://people.com/knife-found-hidden-in-passenger-s-prosthetic-leg-at-hawaii-airport-12013344