If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that TSA agents are more than likely going to catch any illegal activities from happening at the airport. A Pennsylvania man was arrested after security agents found an explosive device hidden in the lining of a checked bag he had for a flight to Florida.
Mark Muffley intended to accompany the bag on an Allegiant Airways flight to Orlando Sanford International Airport but apparently changed his mind after he heard his name called on the PA system. Luckily, it was reported that the explosive was not meant to go off on the plane.
The 40-year-old’s bag triggered an alarm as it was screened at Lehigh Valley International Airport. Inside the bag he checked was a three-inch-diameter mass with two fuses and powder wrapped in wax paper and plastic wrap. The “powder is suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial grade fireworks,” the criminal complaint said.
“The black powder and flash powder are susceptible to ignite from heat and friction and posed a significant risk to the aircraft and passengers.” There was also “a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a [cordless] drill with… batteries, and two GFCI outlets taped together with black tape.”
Muffley was later arrested at his home by FBI agents. He was charged with possession of an explosive in an airport and possessing, or attempting to place, or attempting to have placed an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-stopped-airport-explosive-concealed-checked-luggage/story?id=97562616