A U.S. Marine was detained at a Southern California airport after Transportation Security Administration agents discovered a live explosive round inside his checked baggage, according to a report by The Guardian.
The device was uncovered Monday during routine screening of checked luggage at Palm Springs International Airport, the Palm Springs Police Department said in a news release cited by the outlet.
Investigators said the Marine told authorities he had found the 25mm round “in the field” about a year earlier and kept it, believing it was not live.
Officials said the round’s deteriorated condition made it difficult to identify at first.
“Due to extensive rust and corrosion, the round’s original identifying paint markings were no longer visible, making it difficult to determine whether it was an inert training munition or a live explosive device,” police said in the news release.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad used X-ray technology to examine the device and confirmed that it was a live round. Authorities transported it to a desert area near Interstate 10, where it was safely destroyed, according to police. No injuries were reported.
Police said the case has been submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for review of possible criminal charges.
The Marine was released to military authorities and could face administrative action from the U.S. Marine Corps as well as a potential civil penalty from the TSA, police said. Officials from both agencies did not immediately respond to requests for comment, The Guardian reported.
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