TSA issues Gift Wrapping Warning for Christmas Travelers

After confiscating a pot-filled Christmas gift at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) told passengers that anything that looks like a Christmas gift may be searched.

Last Wednesday, Derik Dwayne Neely, 32, of Flint, Michigan was arrested on suspicion of transporting marijuana. Bound for Cleveland, Neely was taken into custody after 35 pounds of pot was found inside his baggage wrapped up like a Christmas present.

The incident prompted TSA to remind passengers that security screeners will have zero tolerance for those who attempt to smuggle illegal items disguised as holiday gifts.

On the TSA's 3-1-1 for Holiday Travel page, the organization reminded passengers that certain sporting items such as bats, bows and arrows and pool cues cannot be brought on board unless checked. They added that pocket knives and other concealed weapons are also prohibited - whether they are gift wrapped or not.

If the circumstances are suspicious, the TSA can and will open giftwrapped items.

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TSA urges travelers not to wrap gifts until they've arrived at their destination. Furthermore, food items such as jams, salsas, sauces, syrups and dips will not be allowed through the checkpoint unless they are in containers three ounces or less and in the passenger's one quart zip-top bag.

For more information on TSA's gift wrapping regulations, CLICK HERE.