Two historical cannonballs discovered by TSA agents.
An Explosive X-Ray Discovery
TSA screeners are used to pulling contraband from luggage. But a recent catch at Alabama’s Gulf Shores International Airport belongs in a history museum.
Lead TSA Officer Justin Dupree was scanning checked bags earlier this month when an unmistakable cluster of projectiles appeared on his monitor.
A single Civil War-era cannonball displayed on a counter.
Dupree immediately halted the screening process and called for backup.
“My first thought was, I couldn’t see a fuse and need to get some help quick,” Dupree recalled in a TSA statement. “I couldn’t see the entire item but was scared I might have been holding a live explosive.”
Stolen History Wrapped in Paper Towels
Agents carefully opened the luggage to find five small cannonballs wrapped in household paper towels.
The agency reported the largest projectile was roughly the size of a grapefruit, while the smallest measured just an inch across.
A TSA agent examines the contents of a passenger’s checked luggage.
“I had never seen anything quite this unique,” Dupree said.
“I’ve seen inert grenades and training munitions but never an Indiana Jones-esque stolen artifact-type situation.”
Tracking Down the Origins
Local law enforcement quickly traced the artifacts to nearby Fort Morgan.
The historical site, which has guarded Mobile Bay since 1834, played a significant role in the Civil War. It currently operates as a museum under the Alabama Historical Commission.
TSA bomb experts and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office evaluated the centuries-old munitions, confirming they were completely inert and contained no explosive powder.
A close-up view of two rusted cannonballs recovered from the airport.
Despite being safe, the historical weapons were strictly grounded.
Tara Corse, the TSA security director for Alabama, praised her team’s vigilance.
“I am very proud of the great catch,” Corse said. “Even if inert and not active, travelers should avoid bringing weapons of any kind, including replicas, to the airport. They can cause security alerts, flight delays and safety concerns.”
A Juvenile Offender Avoids Charges
The thief turned out to be an out-of-state juvenile, according to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Captain Nathan Lusk.
Authorities safely returned the stolen artifacts to Fort Morgan.
The facility’s director ultimately declined to press charges against the minor.
