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TSA reveals craziest confiscations of 2024, from snakes in pants to meth in crutches

Hidden weapons, stashed weed and smuggled reptiles all make the TSA's year-end list of "Top 10 Best Catches."
Passengers pass through the TSA checkpoint.
Passengers pass through a TSA checkpoint at Miami International Airport on Dec. 17.Joe Raedle / Getty Images file

Some folks are taking "carry-on" a little too seriously. The Transportation Security Administration has dropped a list of the wildest prohibited items people tried to sneak through airports in 2024.

10. Marijuana in peanut butter jar — Asheville Regional Airport

This smooth criminal in North Carolina tried to get away with hiding a bag of marijuana in a hollowed-out jar of Jif. Looks like the TSA doesn’t have a creamy or crunchy preference.

9. Knife shoved inside shoe — Williamsburg International Airport

The TSA and this passenger got off on the wrong foot in Virginia after the passenger stuffed a knife in a shoe before going through PreCheck and claimed not to know it was there.

8. Gun in ruby red combat boot, stuck in LEGO box — Newark Liberty International Airport

Gun parts were found stuffed in a red combat boot and stored in a Marvel Avengers Lego set in a carry-on bag. The TSA in New Jersey pieced it together in no time.

7. Knife inside laptop — Seattle Tacoma International Airport

The TSA found a knife inside the shell of a laptop that the passenger claimed not to know was there. This may not be what folks meant by "cutting-edge" tech.

6. Vape pen stuffed inside travel-size toothpaste tube - Chicago Midway International Airport

Someone should've brushed up on the rules before trying to sneak a vape into the airport in a travel-size toothpaste tube. Though vapes are allowed in carry-on bags, this discreet packaging was definitely a head-scratcher.

5. Gun wrapped in tinfoil inside teapot with shot glasses — Portland International Airport

This passenger was brewing up trouble by deciding to take tinfoil-wrapped gun parts and ammunition inside a teapot to the airport.

4. Meth hidden inside crutches — Portsmouth International Airport

During an X-ray screening in New Hampshire, a mass was discovered in a crutch and methamphetamine was discovered wrapped in electrical tape. Good thing the TSA doesn’t need an X-ray to spot a bad decision.

3. Live snakes inside pants — Miami International Airport

Check out this unofficial deleted scene from "Snakes on a Plane"! Two live snakes were found hiding in someone's pants.

2. Replica IED walkie-talkie — El Paso International Airport

This traveler in Texas was testing, testing the TSA's patience. A replica improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered in the passenger's carry-on bag.

1. Gun in baby stroller — William P. Hobby Airport

A gun was found in the seat pocket of a stroller at this Houston airport, and oh, baby, local law enforcement did not let it stroll by.