New Orleans airport luggage umbilical cord

May 19, 2023

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A human umbilical cord was found in luggage at the New Orleans International Airport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

The umbilical cord was found with a medical wrist band in luggage at the airport on Aug. 2.

The luggage belonged to a passenger on a Spirit flight from Honduras.

According to a statement issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the passenger claimed it belonged to a relative and chose to abandon the items.

The items were then incinerated, according to the statement.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, this is the second time an umbilical cord was found in luggage at the airport.

On June 28, a passenger on the same recurring flight from Honduras was referred to secondary inspection where X-rays revealed an item packed in the middle of t-shirts sealed in cellophane.

The passenger was questioned and confirmed the items were a human umbilical cord and a positive pregnancy test belonging to a relative.

"With the vast number of daily travelers, our officers are guaranteed to encounter some unusual items," said Mark Choina, Acting Area Port Director of New Orleans in an issued statement. "However, two umbilical cords, a month apart, coming from the same country is noteworthy. This seizure highlights the importance of knowing what is in your bag, and if you can legally import it, especially if you are transporting it for someone else."

According to the CDC, a permit or certificate is required for biological materials to be imported into the United States.

For more information on that permit process, click here.