If you thought your travel day was stressful, imagine being the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer who has to ask a passenger, "Is that a turtle in your pants, or are you just happy to fly?" In a revelation that proves truth is stranger than fiction, the TSA has released its highly anticipated list of the Top 10 Weirdest Checkpoint Finds of 2025. Released this week in January 2026, the annual roundup highlights the most bizarre, dangerous, and downright confusing items travelers attempted to smuggle through U.S. airport security over the last year.

From a replica pipe bomb that shut down screening lanes to reptiles stashed in undergarments, the TSA weirdest finds 2026 list offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of passengers who clearly didn't read the regulations. Let's dive into the strangest seizures that kept security officers on their toes.

The Reptile Rundown: Turtles in Pants at Newark Airport

Ranking high on the absurdity meter at #2 was a trend that gives a whole new meaning to "traveling with pets." TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) encountered a passenger who appeared to be concealing something unusual in his groin area. A targeted pat-down revealed a live red-eared slider turtle wrapped in a small blue towel and stuffed down the front of the man's trousers.

But the reptile smuggling didn't stop in New Jersey. In a separate incident included in the same ranking, officers at Miami International Airport (MIA) discovered a woman attempting to hide two small turtles inside her bra. While these travelers might have thought their hiding spots were clever, advanced imaging technology—and the undeniable shape of a shell—proved otherwise. These incidents serve as a hilarious but firm reminder: if it breathes, it probably needs a ticket, not a pair of pants.

Explosive Situations: Boise Airport Replica Bomb

Taking the #1 spot for the most disruptive—and arguably least funny—find of the year was a terrifying discovery at Boise Airport (BOI). In May 2025, a checked bag triggered alarms, leading explosives specialists to uncover what appeared to be a fully functional pipe bomb. The device included PVC pipes, wiring, and blocks wrapped in brown paper marked "C4."

Panic was averted only after experts determined the items were "inert training aids" rather than live explosives. The passenger, who admitted they were props, was allowed to fly, but the fake bomb stayed behind. The TSA emphasized that even replica explosives are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage because they look exactly like the real thing on an X-ray, causing unnecessary evacuations and delays.

Breakfast and Baby Gear: Bullets in Nesquik & Knives in Car Seats

Some travelers tried to blend dangerous items with innocent household products. At Miami International Airport, officers were shocked to find 64 hollow-point bullets in Nesquik containers. The ammunition was submerged inside the strawberry powder, presumably in hopes that the density of the sugary drink mix would mask the metal cartridges. It didn't work.

Similarly alarming was a discovery at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which took the #7 spot. Officers found a knife concealed inside a baby's car seat. While parents often pack everything but the kitchen sink for family trips, a concealed weapon in safety equipment is a major violation. These strange TSA seizures 2025 highlight how creative—and reckless—some concealment methods have become.

Fashion Faux Pas: Razor Blades and Drugs

Several entries on the list proved that what you wear can get you in just as much trouble as what you pack. At #3, a passenger at Denver International Airport (DEN) tried to breeze through security with 20 razor blades wrapped in paper towels and stuffed into their waistband and socks. Meanwhile, at Quad Cities International Airport (MLI), a traveler attempted to hide a knife inside a knee brace (#5), proving that medical devices are not a free pass for prohibited items.

Perhaps the most chemically complex find occurred at Kona International Airport in Hawaii (#4), where officers found a veritable pharmacy hidden inside a passenger's shoes. The haul included fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and ketamine, turning a standard footwear check into a major drug bust.

The Best of the Rest: Golf Clubs and Shampoo

Rounding out the list were items that simply defied logic. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, a passenger tried to smuggle a shotgun by hiding it in a golf bag (#9), complete with a golf club headcover placed over the barrel. Another traveler at Anchorage International Airport (#6) tried to hide pills inside a shampoo bottle, while officers at Akron-Canton and Newark (#10) found bullets and knives wrapped in tinfoil—a method that actually makes items stand out more on X-ray scanners.

As we move into 2026, this list of airport security funny news serves as a cautionary tale. Whether it's a turtle, a replica bomb, or breakfast cereal ammo, TSA's imaging technology is likely to catch it. For a smooth trip, leave the reptiles at home and check the prohibited items list before you pack.