Apparent human remains found in luggage at Tampa airport, CBP says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Apparent human remains were recently discovered inside of luggage at Tampa International Airport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

A traveler declared having 10 cigars in the luggage, but officers found several "bizarre" undeclared items, CBP Director of Field Operations Carlos C. Martel said in a post on X.

Among the undeclared items were "prohibited plants, undeclared cigars, and a foil-wrapped duffel bag containing what looked like human remains, including part of a skull."

CBP said the traveler told officers the items were to be used in rituals. They were confiscated and destroyed "due to serious health risks."

"At CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick," Martel's post said.