Idaho

Take a look at weird and dangerous items found in Idaho airports in 2023 – East Idaho News

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

Take a look at weird and dangerous items found in Idaho airports in 2023 – East Idaho News

For most people, getting stopped by airport security for a prohibited item means they’ve accidentally packed something mundane, like toothpaste too big to be a carry-on.

But for many travelers in Idaho last year, it means they’ve tried to carry on something more along the lines of a ninja throwing star, a replica rocket-propelled grenade, a hatchet or a gun.

The Transportation Security Administration confiscates weird and dangerous items from travelers going through one of Idaho’s several commercial airports yearly — such as a memorial sword in 2022 — but last year might take the cake. The just-released list of seized items in 2023 includes things like a cam shaft, inert ammunition and a hatchet.

Additionally, a record number of firearms were found at the Boise Airport during routine X-ray screenings last year.

Here’s a list of some of the most peculiar items passengers tried to get through Idaho airports in 2023.

A record number of firearms

Idahoans may love their guns, but the TSA not so much.

A total of 47 guns were confiscated across Idaho airports in 2023. While that isn’t a statewide record, 42 of those guns were confiscated at Boise Airport, a record for the airport.

Three firearms were confiscated at Idaho Falls Regional Airport and one apiece at Friedman Memorial Airport and Pocatello Regional Airport.

“I can’t say this more clearly: stop and empty each of your bags before you pack for your trip, just to make sure there is nothing in it that might cause a problem for you when you get to the airport,” Andy Coose, TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho, stated in a news release.

“You are responsible for whatever is in your bag when it arrives for TSA screening,” Coose continued, “and the fines can be in the thousands of dollars for an undeclared gun in your bag.”

In addition to a potential criminal referral for storing an undeclared, unloaded handgun in your carry-on, the TSA can also levy a fine that starts at $1,500 and can go into the thousands.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they’re unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and transported in checked luggage.

Idaho’s weirdest airport confiscations

While guns were a common occurrence in Idaho airports last year, there was also a collection of even weirder items. Here’s the top 10, along with comments on each from the TSA:

10. Ninja throwing star – Boise Airport

Transportation Security Administration

“If you own one of these, pack it in checked luggage or leave it at home when traveling. This item can be used as a missile in some martial arts but has no place on a plane.”

9. Hatchet – Boise Airport

“TSA officers always ask passengers before a bag check if there is anything sharp in the carry-on. Hope the passenger said YES in response!”

8. Ulu Knife – Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport

“This Alaska native tool is used traditionally to skin animals. Guaranteed, you won’t need this post-security at any airport. The blade on this is what makes it a prohibited item.”

7. Grenade-shaped bottle of hot sauce – Idaho Falls Regional Airport

hot sauce grenade — Transportation Security Administration

“Real, inert or full of hot sauce, anything that looks like a grenade is never allowed on a plane.”

6. Spanner wrench – Boise Airport

“This large, specialized tool is used to remove locking nuts. In case you missed the safety briefing, no in-flight maintenance is allowed.”

5. Camshaft and transmission gear – Boise Airport

“Which passenger thought it was a good idea to bring this engine part in carry-on luggage? Due to its size and bludgeoning potential, it is a perfect item to travel in checked luggage.”

4. Double-edged letter opener – Friedman Memorial Airport

“In a case of two wrongs don’t make a right, this double-edge letter opener can’t travel in carry-on luggage. Feel free to write home about it to let your friends and family know to place this item in checked luggage.”

3. Crow bar – Magic Valley Regional Airport

“What’s with the tools and car parts in Idaho? Rules for traveling with any tool: must be seven inches in length or shorter to make it post-security. And no blades or sharp ends, too.”

2. 20-millimeter inert ammunition – Boise Airport

“Ammunition of any type must travel in its original packaging in checked luggage. No exceptions! These were discovered in checked baggage.”

1. Realistic replica rocket-propelled grenade – Boise Airport

“While this item was discovered in checked baggage, it is still a no-fly. Helpful travel tip: if it looks like an explosive, don’t bring it anywhere near an airport.”

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Idaho

Charges dropped against BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping baby at Costco – East Idaho News

Published

4 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Charges dropped against BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping baby at Costco – East Idaho News

Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal describes a new video from Costco over the incident involving an alleged kidnapping prior to Thanksgiving. | Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS — Weeks after a BYU-Idaho student was accused of kidnapping a baby from Costco, the Bonneville County Prosecutor announced Thursday afternoon that charges will be dismissed.

During a news conference, Prosecutor Randy Neal showed three videos from inside Costco during the alleged incident on Nov. 24, which led to Michael Raine, 24, being charged with felony second-degree kidnapping.

According to court documents, Raine was looking at books inside the store and a cart with a baby was nearby.

RELATED | BYU-Idaho student accused of kidnapping 4-week-old baby in Costco

The document states that Raine “looked around” and then grabbed the cart and walked away.

The issue for officials was what occurred once Raine rounded the corner with the cart and the baby.

Neal said the new video shows Raine walking away with the cart, and the baby’s mother finding him almost immediately. The prosecutor explained that when pursuing cases, a prosecutor reviews the evidence and determines whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the action was a crime.

“For a prosecutor, the analysis is whether there is a rational basis for someone to conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they are to a moral certainty, that this is a crime? I don’t think that we can say that,” Neal said.

Neal said the surveillance videos from Costco show that Raine had no intention of running away with that cart.

WATCH COSTCO SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HERE:

The other aspect is that Raine didn’t leave the store after the incident, which, according to the documents, indicates the student had purchased items and eaten at the food court.

Looking at the reasons for Raine’s arrest, Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said at the time, there was only one single video, and based on what was seen, Raine’s actions were found to be suspicious.

Another factor that influenced Raine’s arrest was his trip to the United States Marine Corps Recruiting station in Boise on Nov. 25.

“The detectives were consulting with the prosecutors and made the proper decision at that time in the interest of public safety, based on probable cause, to make that arrest,” Johnson said. “That just doesn’t end the case. There’s a requirement to keep on going.”

Johnson and Neal discussed how detectives met with the mother of the baby and went over the events in a cognitive interview. Neal said this type of interview is a narrative recount of the events by the victim, without any questions being asked.

“Often, the mind will just start filling in pieces in order to make it make sense to them,” Neal said.

Detectives worked on recreating the incident at Costco with the mother, but Neal said some of the mother’s version of events were inaccurate in terms of the cart placement and other minor details.

Neal said Natalie Millett was told charges have been dropped.

Victim Impact Statement from Natalie Millett. | Courtesy Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney

In a statement to the media, Millett said the event has caused the emotional pain that words can’t describe and will impact her for life.

“I believe it was miraculous that I ran in the right direction and recovered my baby swiftly, but the outcome could have been so different had I not listened to my intuition and impressions that day,” Millett said.

After being informed that the charges against Raine would be dismissed, Millett stated that she does feel at peace because she has done everything in her power.

One of the major talking points of the conference and in Millett’s statement is the reaction and comments from social media that have attacked her and made egregious remarks about people involved.

“To sit in your basement and write poison is just really disgusting. It’s just inappropriate,” Neal said.