TSA releases images of ‘suspicious device’ that caused lockdown at Idaho Falls Regional Airport

IDAHO FALLS — The Transportation Safety Administration has released photos of the “suspicious device” that caused a scare at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport last month.

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Turns out the device was a mortar and it was found inside of a passenger’s checked bag on Jan. 11. Authorities detained passengers in a safe area of the terminal after the discovery and all flights were grounded. Police also closed the road leading to the airport.

The mortar was deemed safe and flights resumed after 30 minutes.

The TSA has released images of the device and said airport officers should be recognized for their “great catch.”

“They should definitely be given a round of applause for spotting this mortar inside of a passenger’s checked bag,” a TSA Facebook post says. “Thank goodness – it was inert, but this discovery prompted an evacuation and a number of flight delays. It’s never the best idea to pack any sort of replica explosives or inert explosives in your checked bag or your carry-on. In fact, some might say you should be sure to leave the mortar at the door-tar.”

RELATED | Slingshot, handsaw, sledgehammer and more. TSA reveals top 10 prohibited items discovered at Idaho airports in 2024

TSA officers have seized other unusual objects at Idaho airports over the past year, including a slingshot, handsaw, and sledgehammer. Last month, the agency released a list of the top 10 prohibited items found by security screening officers in carry-on luggage at five different Idaho airports in 2024.

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