How a Routine Check Uncovered a Disturbing Find
What started as a standard customs review at Tampa International Airport turned into a scene straight out of a crime drama. An individual stepped up to declare ten cigars, but agricultural specialists quickly flagged the luggage for undeclared plants and other suspicious items. When officers opened the duffel, they found a bundle of aluminum foil hiding something far more unsettling – part of a human skull and additional bone fragments.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations director for Miami and Tampa, Carlos C. Martel, posted about the incident on X on September 18, 2025. He wrote, “What began with a traveler declaring merely 10 cigars at Tampa International Airport took an unexpected turn.” The photograph shared showed gloved agents handling the foil‑wrapped remains on a sterile table, with the bones later placed into sealed evidence bags.
The passenger offered a quick explanation, saying the remains were meant for a ritual purpose. CBP officials, however, cited immediate health hazards and the lack of any legal paperwork, prompting them to seize and later destroy the items. In addition to the bones, the bag contained prohibited plant material and several more cigars that had not been declared, further violating customs rules.
Regulations, Risks, and the Ongoing Probe
Transporting human remains into the United States is heavily regulated. A death certificate is mandatory, and if it’s not in English, a certified translation must accompany it. Special permission from the Department of State and CBP is required, and approvals are granted only in rare, well‑documented cases such as family repatriations. The lack of any such documentation in this instance made the seizure inevitable.
Martel’s statement also included a cheeky warning: “At CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick.” The quip underscored the agency’s broader message that no contraband, however obscure, is beyond scrutiny.
Federal investigators have opened a case to determine whether criminal charges will be filed. To date, no information about the traveler’s nationality, identity, or intended destination has been released. The agency is also reviewing how the prohibited plants slipped past the initial declaration, hinting at potential gaps in the screening process.CBP’s standard protocol for items that pose health risks—like bone fragments—includes containment, documentation, and eventual disposal in a biohazard‑approved manner. The agency’s quick action prevented any possible contamination of airport staff or the public.
While the precise motive behind smuggling the remains remains unclear, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the broad scope of duties that customs agents perform beyond just checking for illegal goods. From agricultural violations to potential bio‑hazards, the range of threats they must assess is vast.
- Human remains require a death certificate and, if not in English, a certified translation.
- Special permission from U.S. authorities is needed for any remains imported for burial or cultural purposes.
- Undeclared items, including prohibited plants and excess cigars, can trigger a full inspection and seizure.
- CBP agents are trained to handle bio‑hazardous materials with protective equipment and follow strict disposal protocols.
The Tampa airport case adds to a growing list of unexpected finds that keep customs officials on high alert. Whether it’s a hidden stash of contraband or, in this unsettling instance, a Tampa airport human remains discovery, the message is clear: no bag is safe from scrutiny.