Human Remains Found in Luggage at Tampa Airport Spark CBP Alarm
Sep, 26 2025
During a standard baggage sweep at Tampa International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stumbled upon something no one expects to see in a suitcase – a chunk of a human skull and several vertebrae, all wrapped in aluminum foil. The shocking find came after the traveler initially told officers he was only bringing ten cigars into the United States.
Discovery inside the luggage
Agriculture specialists were the first to flag the bag because it contained undeclared cigars and prohibited plant material. When the luggage was pulled aside for a deeper look, officers uncovered a duffel bag inside the suitcase. The bag was sealed in foil, and when opened it revealed the bone fragments. Photos released by CBP show the skull pieces and vertebrae laid out on a table, with agents in protective gloves handling the evidence.
According to Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations for Miami and Tampa, the traveler claimed the remains were intended for a ritual. No further details were given about the ritual’s nature, the traveler’s background, or why he thought the bones could be moved across a border without paperwork.
Beyond the eerie visual, the discovery set off a series of procedural steps. CBP has strict rules for importing human remains: a death certificate, proper documentation, and an English translation if the original is in another language are mandatory. Because none of these were presented, the bones were deemed illegal and hazardous.
Legal and health implications
Health officials were quick to point out the risks. Decomposing tissue can harbor bacteria and viruses that pose a danger to anyone who handles them without proper protection. For that reason, the remains were immediately seized, logged in evidence bags, and later destroyed under controlled conditions.
The incident also raises legal questions. While the traveler’s identity, nationality, and possible charges have not been disclosed, transporting unapproved human remains can lead to federal charges ranging from smuggling to violations of the Public Health Service Act.
Martel used the moment to remind the public that customs inspections are inherently unpredictable. "Customs officers never know what they’ll find," he said, adding a darkly humorous note that smugglers will always have "a bone to pick" with the agency.
This case underscores the broader challenge CBP faces: balancing the flow of legitimate travel and commerce with the need to intercept prohibited items—whether they’re contraband cigars, illegal plants, or, in this rare instance, human remains. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even a routine check can uncover the unexpected, prompting swift action to protect public health and uphold the law.