A reality television crew was arrested after reportedly trying to sneak a fake explosive device through a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday, Transportation Security Administration officials told the Newark Star-Ledger.
Seven members of the cable television crew – reportedly connected with CNBC based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey – were taken away by authorities, a law enforcement source told the newspaper, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it was investigating the incident.
TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein posted a photo of the fake device on Twitter.
A source told the Star-Ledger the TV crew was from the Endemol Shine Group, a Dutch production company that contracts with CNBC and is behind such reality hits as "MasterChef" and "The Biggest Loser."
ABC News reported that a preliminary investigation revealed some members of the TV crew intentionally carried the item through the security checkpoint while others covertly filmed the encounter. Their goal was to see whether TSA agents would detect the item concealed in a rolling bag – and they did.
The TV crew members arrested face civil penalties that could amount to more than $13,000 for each security violation, ABC News said.
A law enforcement source told the Star-Ledger the TV crew members could be charged by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office with creating a false public alarm, conspiracy and interference with transportation.
The TSA had been the target of criticism in the past for failing to find dangerous devices in test from undercover officers. In 2015, the TSA's acting head Melvin Carraway was removed from his position after Homeland Security undercover officers got weapons past TSA agents in 67 out of 70 times in tests in airports around the country, a failure rate of 95 percent, NBC News reported.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.