Confiscated by the TSA

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) screens approximately 1.75 millions passengers and their luggage every day for prohibited items, including weapons and explosives. The TSA joined Instagram in June 2013 posting images of an incredible array of confiscated items from passengers' luggage and carry-ons. The number of followers has grown to nearly 200,000 Instagram users, fascinated by the scary, crazy things people try to take on planes from live snakes to stun guns disguised as lipstick all captioned in a matter-of-fact style.

TSA: "#TSACatch - These are just a few of the 160 firearms that were discovered in carry-on bags in November. Out of those, 133 (83%) were loaded. Firearms in carry-on bags can lead to arrest and hefty civil penalties."

Posted Dec. 2, 2014

Follow  @TSA on Instagram

TSA

"TSACatch: This bejeweled lipstick taser was discovered this week in a carry-on bag at the Detroit (#DTW) International Airport."

Posted Nov. 20, 2014

TSA

"#TBT - In August 2011 at the #Miami International Airport (#MIA), seven small snakes (stuffed in nylon stockings) were discovered in a traveler’s pants. In addition to the snakes, he also had three small turtles. The snakes and turtles were found using TSA’s Advanced Imaging Technology which allows TSA officers to find potential threat items concealed from plain sight. @USFWS officers arrived on the scene and took custody of the reptiles. The passenger was arrested and charged with violating the Lacey Act."

Posted Nov. 13, 2014

TSA

"#TSACATCH A disassembled gun and ammunition were discovered in three stuffed animals at the #Providence TF Green Airport (#PVD). The frame of a .40 caliber firearm was in one animal; a magazine loaded with two .40 caliber rounds and firing pin was inside another; and the slide was inside a third animal. The necessary components to assemble a fully functional loaded firearm were concealed in the three toys. This is just another example of why our officers take a closer look at everything that comes through the checkpoint."

Posted Oct. 30, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACATCH This lipstick knife was discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Detroit Metropolitan Airport. All knives are prohibited from being transported in your carry-on bags, and when they're intentionally concealed, it could result in an arrest or hefty fine."

Posted Oct. 6, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch - This brass knuckle cell phone case was discovered in a traveler’s carry-on bag at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Brass knuckles are prohibited from being transported in carry-on bags. They’re even illegal in some states."

Posted Sept. 15, 2014.

TSA

"A stun gun disguised to look like a smartphone was discovered this week in a carry-on bag. #TSA #TSAcatch #Anchorage #Alaska"

Posted Aug. 16, 2013

TSA

"#TSACatch: This cell phone case also doubles as a sheath for a push dagger. It was discovered at a #TSA checkpoint at the #Tampa International Airport. All knives are prohibited from being transported in your carry-on bags"

Posted Aug. 15, 2014

TSA

"#TSACatch - This knife was discovered mounted to a walker at the #Newark #NewJersey International Airport May 4, 2012. All knives are prohibited from being taken on board the aircraft. Knives may be packed in your checked luggage."

Posted July 31, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch – These knives, disguised as keys, were discovered at a Greater #Binghamton Airport checkpoint. Leave it. Check it. Ship it. Knives are prohibited in your carry-on but can be packed in checked baggage only."

Posted July 30, 2014.

TSA

"#TBT #TSACatch - In July of 2009, an inert grenade was discovered inside a stuffed penguin at the #Manchester - #Boston Regional Airport. All grenades or anything that even looks like a grenade are prohibited from both checked and carry-on bags. When these items are discovered, they can cause significant delays while explosives detection professionals resolve the alarm. "

Posted July 24, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch - This cannonball and antique flare gun were discovered in 2012 in a carry-on bag at the #Kahului Regional Airport in #Hawaii."

Posted July 17, 2014.

TSA

"TSACatch: This stun cane was discovered at the #Tampa International Airport #TSA checkpoint. While stun guns are permitted in checked baggage, they are prohibited in carry-on bags. You should check state and local laws concerning stun guns prior to traveling."

Posted July 12, 2014.

TSA

"We just hit an @Instagram milestone today. 100,000 followers! To celebrate, we’d like to present you with this bonus weekend photo of a hatchet that was discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Manchester - #Boston Regional Airport. Have a great weekend and we’ll see you Monday. #TSACatch"

Posted July 12, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch - Eight ounces of bear repellent was detected in a carry-on bag at the #Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. While traveling can be a bear at times, bear repellent IS prohibited in the cabin of an aircraft. You can pack bear repellent in your checked bags if the volume is less than four ounces and it has less than a 2 percent active ingredient of either CS or CN. Most bear repellents exceed these limitations."

Posted July 11, 2014.

TSA

"#TBT #TSACatch: This hollowed-out book with two 6 ½” throwing knives was discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Washington Reagan (#DCA) National Airport in December of 2011. #Ninja books are permitted, throwing knives are not."

Posted July 10, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch: These utility knife blades were discovered concealed between a #ScoobyDoo greeting card. All knives no matter how small are prohibited from carry-on bags."

Posted June 25, 2014.

TSA

"#TSACatch: During a routine #TSA bag search at #Philadelphia International Airport, these narcotics were discovered in a hollowed out book. While #TSA is not looking for narcotics, we report them to the proper authorities when they are discovered."

Posted June 18, 2014.

TSA

"These #batarangs were discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Newark Liberty International Airport. For more information on prohibited items, visit www.tsa.gov"

Posted June 4, 2014.

TSA

"#TSAcatch: This smartphone case was discovered at the Boston (#BOS) International Airport. Please remember, all knives are prohibited from being carried onto the cabin of an aircraft."

Posted May 15, 2014

TSA

"#TSAcatch: 28 credit card knives were discovered last week at #TSA checkpoints across the nation. Please make sure you know what's in your wallet prior to arriving at the airport. Items like these are out of sight and out of mind and are easily forgotten."

Posted May 16, 2014

TSA

"#TSACatch: Any item resembling an explosive – whether it is real or not - can cause significant delays in screening, while #TSA explosives detection professionals determine if the item is a threat. This modified grenade was discovered at the Salt Lake City #SLC airport and was eventually determined to be as harmless as a fly."

Posted April 4, 2014

TSA

"#TSACatch: This comb-knife was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag at the Detroit (#DTW) Airport in Michigan. See other prohibited items on the #TSA blog at blog.tsa.gov."

Posted Sept. 27, 2013

TSA

"Discovered in a carry-on bag at the #Chicago #Illinois Midway (MDW) International Airport. See more pictures of prohibited items discovered this week at blog.tsa.gov"

Posted Sept. 20, 2013

TSA

"#StunGun #disguised as a pack of #cigarettes discovered at #Cleveland - #cle #stun #stunguns #tazer #tazers #shock #shocking #travel #aviation #tsa #instatsa #tsablogteam #tsagram #instagood #instacool #webstagram #instagramhub #photo #gov20 #gov #all_shots See and read more at http://blog.tsa.gov"

Posted June 28, 2013

For more images check out @TSA on Instagram