Customs Officials Find Whale of a Tale

HANOVER, MD — The possible contraband found in an overseas traveler’s bag makes for a whopper of a fish story. You could even call it a whale of a tale.

Federal officials say whale bones were recently found in an airline passenger’s baggage at Baltimore Washington International Airport.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection specialists discovered the possible whale bones while inspecting luggage from Iceland Sunday at BWI Airport.

The importation of certain types of bones – including whale bones -- is restricted. Whale bones are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act, say Customs officials in a news release.

The passenger, who arrived on a flight from Iceland, told security officials the objects were whale bones. The bones will be held while their origin is determined; if they are not from an endangered species, they will be returned to the passenger.

The passenger was released after agriculture specialists seized the suspected whale bones.

»Photo of suspected whale bones seized at BWI Airport, courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection