TSA: Elderly Woman’s Cane Contained Hidden Sword

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) – Authorities in South Carolina believe an 80-year-old woman had no idea until she went through airport security that the walking cane she was attempting to take on an airplane contained a hidden sword.

News outlets report that Transportation Security Administration regional spokesman Mark Howell recounted the incident Thursday at Myrtle Beach International Airport as part of an effort to highlight dangerous items recently carried by passengers departing the airport.

Howell says secret swords are not actually that uncommon of a discovery for TSA screeners, since people sometimes buy them at thrift stores without realizing there’s a sword inside.