Traveler Found With Skull, Other Human Remains In Luggage At FL Airport

TAMPA, FL — Human remains were found in the luggage of a passenger traveling through Tampa International Airport, Carlos C. Martel, director of field operations for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Miami/Tampa field office, posted to X on Thursday.

Initially, the traveler declared just 10 cigars at customs before what should be a routine check “turned bizarre,” Martel said.

CBP agriculture specialists found prohibited plants, undeclared cigars, and a foil-wrapped duffel bag containing part of a skull and what looked like other human remains.

The passenger claimed the items were for rituals, Martel said.

Images shared by the director showed what appears to be remains, including a skull, wrapped in foil.

Because of potential health risks, “the items were seized and destroyed,” the director added.

“At CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick,” he said.

Martel didn’t say where the passenger was traveling two or from or the date the remains were found.

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