Snakes on a plane – Almost
Good Catch
August 30, 2011
Imaging Technology continues to give TSA officers the best advantage to identify potential threat items concealed on a person. A recent incident at Miami International Airport (MIA) bears this out. On. Aug. 25 at approximately 10:20 a.m., transportation security officers at an MIA checkpoint were screening passengers with the help of a millimeter-wave advanced imaging technology machine when they observed items suspiciously hidden on a male passenger. Further screening revealed seven exotic snakes and three tortoises held in nylon bags that the man had concealed inside his pants. U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife officers arrived on the scene, took custody of the reptiles and arrested the passenger on federal charge of violating the Lacey Act.
While snakes and tortoises may not pose a threat to aviation, (non-metallic) weapons and explosives concealed beneath clothing remain a concern for security personnel and this discovery demonstrates again the effectiveness of advanced imaging technology.
