By: Richard L. Smith
Security officers at Newark Liberty International Airport prevented a potential security threat on Tuesday, March 18, after discovering 16 bullets carefully hidden inside an aluminum foil box at a security checkpoint.
The discovery was made when a traveler’s carry-on bag triggered an alarm while passing through the X-ray screening system.
Upon further inspection, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers retrieved an aluminum foil box from the bag. Inside the box, they found a cardboard tube concealing 16 bullets, each individually wrapped in aluminum foil and inserted into the tube. 
Port Authority Police were immediately notified and questioned both the traveler and their companion.
The pair, who were scheduled to fly to the Dominican Republic, ultimately missed their flight but were allowed to leave the airport without the ammunition, which was confiscated by authorities.
“Our TSA officers are there to ensure that nothing prohibited is carried onto a flight,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
“When an item goes through our checkpoint X-ray units and triggers an alarm, our officers take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.” 
This incident underscores the critical role TSA officers play in airport security, as well as the continued vigilance required to prevent dangerous or prohibited items from making their way onto aircraft.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing.