NEW YORK- A surprising discovery unfolded at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday when security officers detected an unusual item in a passenger's carry-on bag. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that 17 bullets were found concealed inside a disposable baby diaper during routine screening. The otherwise clean diaper triggered an alarm in the X-ray machine, leading officers to inspect its contents.

The TSA identified the passenger as a man from Arkansas bound for Chicago's Midway Airport. Initially claiming ignorance about the bullet-filled diaper, he later suggested that his girlfriend might have placed it in his bag. The passenger's name was not disclosed, but Port Authority police cited him for unlawful possession of the 9mm ammunition.

This incident adds to a series of similar occurrences at LaGuardia Airport, where passengers have been flagged for carrying bullets or firearms. Last month, TSA officers discovered a .45-caliber pistol and a magazine loaded with six bullets concealed in a pair of Nike sneakers in a checked bag. Firearms are allowed in checked luggage but must be secured in a locked, hard-sided container, not hidden in shoes.

In a previous case in January 2021, officers intercepted 13 bullets concealed in a Mentos chewing gum container within a carry-on bag. The bullets were cleverly mixed with pieces of gum. The passenger, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, claimed the bag belonged to his son.

In another incident in April, officers found a loaded .22-caliber pistol and two boxes of ammunition, totaling over 100 bullets, in a carry-on bag. The passenger explained that he had been at a shooting range and had forgotten to remove the gun and bullets before heading to the airport. Despite the explanation, he was arrested.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by airport security across the U.S., emphasizing the need for vigilance in screening and enforcing regulations regarding the transportation of firearms and ammunition.