Live Explosive Round Found in Marine's Luggage at California Airport

The device was uncovered during routine screening at Palm Springs International Airport.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a heavily corroded and rusted metal object against a stark black background, conceptually representing the discovery of a live explosive round in a passenger's luggage.A deteriorated live explosive round found in a Marine's luggage at a California airport highlights the critical importance of thorough security screening.Palm Springs Today

A U.S. Marine was detained at Palm Springs International Airport after Transportation Security Administration agents discovered a live 25mm explosive round inside his checked baggage. The Marine told authorities he had found the deteriorated round in the field about a year earlier and kept it, believing it was not live. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department bomb squad confirmed the round was live and safely destroyed it.

Why it matters

The discovery of a live explosive round in a passenger's luggage at an airport raises serious security concerns and highlights the importance of thorough screening procedures to ensure public safety. This incident also raises questions about military personnel's handling and storage of live ammunition, even if inadvertently.

The details

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the explosive round was uncovered during routine screening of checked luggage at Palm Springs International Airport on Monday. 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. 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. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department bomb squad used X-ray technology to examine the device and confirmed that it was a live round, which they then transported to a desert area near Interstate 10 and safely destroyed.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, March 31, 2026 at Palm Springs International Airport.

The players

U.S. Marine

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps who was detained at the airport after the explosive round was found in his checked luggage.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening that discovered the live explosive round in the Marine's checked bag.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The local law enforcement agency that dispatched its bomb squad to examine and safely destroy the live explosive round.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Palm Springs Police Department

What’s next

The case has been submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review of possible criminal charges against the Marine. The U.S. Marine Corps may also take administrative action against the service member.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of thorough airport security screening procedures to detect any potentially dangerous items, even if inadvertently brought by passengers. It also raises questions about how military personnel handle and store live ammunition, even if unintentionally, and the need for stronger protocols to prevent such lapses.