TSA find knife hidden inside gaming laptop

A Virginia man was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration last week for “artfully” concealing a double-bladed knife inside a large “gaming” laptop.

The Williamsburg man was stopped by agents at a Richmond International Airport security checkpoint on Nov. 11 after spotting what appeared to be a knife inside his carry-on bag, reports Tom’s Hardware.

According to the TSA, an initial search of the bag did not turn up the suspected blade. The officers then separated and ran each of the bag’s contents through the x-ray machine again, one by one.

“At that point the X-ray image indicated that the knife was inside the laptop and required closer inspection,” the TSA said in a statement. “After obtaining tools that could disassemble the laptop, a double-edged knife was found to have been artfully concealed inside the guts of the computer. 

The blade appears to be a double-bladed knife designed for throwing, usually sold in sets. 

Andrew E. Freedman, who reviews laptops for Tom’s Hardware, said that the computer was likely a Gigabyte Aorus gaming notebook, judging by the fan grill on the bottom of the case and the battery, which is from a Taiwanese supplier affiliated with Gigabyte.

The tech writer also noted that the RAM appeared to be damaged and complained that the fans were “filthy and should be cleaned.”

“This was a superb job on the part of our officers to first identify the threat and then work in partnership with the Capital Region Airport Commission Police to obtain tools that were necessary to disassemble the laptop to reveal the knife,” Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said in a statement.

“Detecting artfully concealed weapons points to the training and skill of our officers who are focused on their mission to ensure that prohibited items that could cause harm are not carried onto flights. The traveler now faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty.”

Sharp objects, including double-edge knives or daggers, throwing stars (including 3D-printed throwing stars), axes and hatchets, meat cleavers, fencing foils, machetes, gravity knives and other sharp objects could lead to a fine ranging from $390 to $2,250, according to TSA guidelines.

“Extraordinary artful concealment,” such as a book hollowed out to fit a dangerous item, commands a higher penalty – up to $10,700.

The TSA has not determined the classification of the incident or released the identity or destination of the traveler.