A New Jersey woman who placed a walking stick on the conveyor belt as she passed through a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday had a long dagger concealed inside, officials said.
The Fort Lee woman told agents she got the walking stick from a friend and didn’t know the sword was inside, adding that she didn’t think her friend knew it was there either, according to a Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman.
An X-ray machine in Terminal C uncovered the dagger around 1 p.m, the TSA said.
A TSA spokeswoman said agents encounter what they refer to as “sword-canes” from time to time.
“If you purchase a walking stick or cane at a yard sale, garage sale, antique shop or flea market, always twist the handle to see if it unscrews to reveal something inside,” the spokeswoman said in an email. “And yes, if it is a gift, do the same.”
A day earlier, a girl spotted a 15-inch ring-necked snake on the floor in Terminal C of the airport. She notified security and Port Authority police removed the snake.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.
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