Concealing Pills: Airport Security Evasion Techniques

Airport scanners are very high-tech machines that can detect pills hidden in luggage or on a person's body. Despite this, some people still attempt to smuggle pills through airport security. Common methods include swallowing or inserting pills, hiding them in everyday objects, or adding a false bottom to luggage. However, these methods are often detected by scanners, which can identify abnormalities based on density, shape, and material composition. While it is completely legal to fly with pills in both checked baggage and carry-on bags, attempting to hide illegal pills can have serious consequences.

Hiding pills in body cavities

Body scanners and X-ray machines can often detect pills hidden in body cavities because they differ in density from normal tissues. Millimeter-wave scanners, for example, detect items concealed on a person's body by identifying unusual shapes or densities that stand out against the natural contours of the human body.

To attempt to avoid detection, smugglers may ingest drug-filled capsules or hide them within body cavities such as the rectum or vagina. However, it is important to note that even if the pills are not detected by the initial body scanner, further inspection may be required if something suspicious is flagged.

In addition to hiding pills in body cavities, smugglers may also attempt to conceal drugs in everyday objects such as books, shoes, or electronics. While this may work against less sophisticated screening methods, modern airport scanners can usually detect these hidden compartments.

Pills in unusual packaging

It is not advisable to attempt to travel with and hide illegal pills, but if you are travelling with legal pills, you may wish to conceal them in unusual packaging. Pills hidden in everyday objects such as books, shoes, or electronics may be detected by modern airport scanners, which can identify abnormalities or suspicious items based on density, shape, and the material’s composition. For example, drugs concealed in irregular packaging—such as within electronics or hollowed-out items—can stand out during an X-ray scan.

If you are travelling with liquid pills, these are subject to additional screening. However, it is completely legal to fly with pills in both your checked baggage and carry-on bags in unlimited amounts, so there is no need to hide pills. You do have the right to refuse to have any pills or other medication X-rayed, and can instead opt for a visual inspection.

False lining in bags

To create a false lining in a bag, you would need to carefully cut open the existing lining and create a hidden pocket or compartment. This can be done by sewing an additional piece of fabric inside the bag, creating a secret pocket that is not easily visible. The pills can then be placed inside this hidden compartment, and the lining carefully sewn back together.

It is important to note that this method is not guaranteed to work. Airport scanners are very high-tech and can detect unusual shapes, densities, and materials. Pills, especially when compressed, may show up as dense, opaque masses on scanners. Additionally, millimetre-wave scanners can detect items concealed on a person's body, including drugs hidden in clothing or strapped to the body.

Therefore, while false lining in bags may seem like a clever trick, it is not a reliable method for hiding pills in airports. It is always best to declare any medication you are travelling with and follow the proper procedures for transporting medication.

Pills in everyday objects

Airport scanners can detect pills, even if they are contained in plastic pill bottles or other non-metallic and metallic objects. However, passengers have the right to refuse to have their medication X-rayed and can instead opt for a visual inspection.

If you are travelling with liquid pills, these are subject to additional screening. This is because drugs, especially when compressed, may show up as dense, opaque masses on scanners. The software will flag any dense material that doesn't match the expected density of normal items.

If you are attempting to smuggle pills, hiding them in everyday objects such as books, shoes, or electronics may work against less sophisticated screening methods. However, modern airport scanners can usually detect these hidden compartments.

False lining in bags, such as adding a false bottom or secret compartment in luggage, will also likely be detected by X-ray scanners, which will catch the irregularities and flag the item for further inspection.

Swallowing pills

If you are travelling with legal medication, there is no need to hide pills. Passengers have the right to refuse to have their medication X-rayed and can instead opt for a visual inspection. However, this must be requested before the medication is sent through the X-ray tunnel.

If you are travelling with liquid pills, these are subject to additional screening.

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