*EDIT (7/22/20): An early version of this story reported that is was a man that had attempted to conceal the rifle and ammunition, when it was infact a woman. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.*
TSA officers caught an assault rifle with a high-powered magazine and an arsenal of ammunition concealed behind the lining of a suitcase Monday, July 20, while they were conducting screening operations of checked baggage at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal C.
“Our TSA officers are very skilled at detecting firearms and other prohibited items,” said Tom Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “This was an incredibly good catch on the part of our officers because the traveler attempted to evade detection by concealing the items beneath the lining of her suitcase.”
When the TSA officers detected the weapon and ammunition, they immediately alerted the Port Authority Police.
They then tracked down the passenger, a resident of East Orange and her traveling companion, who were in the terminal near their departing gate. Police confiscated the weapon and ammunition and arrested both individuals.