Man arrested after joking about grenade in luggage at MIA, deputies say
Aug 31, 2026
A man was arrested after authorities said he joked about having a grenade in his luggage while checking in for a flight at Miami International Airport early Sunday.
According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Osniel Blanco-Lopez, 52, was at an American Airlines ticket counter earl
y morning when an agent asked whether he had any dangerous goods.
Investigators said Blanco-Lopez initially said no, but then said in Spanish, “I have a grenade inside,” and began laughing.
Another ticket agent told him it was not a joke and contacted the sheriff’s office, according to the report.
An airport bomb detection K-9 deputy responded and searched Blanco-Lopez’s luggage.
Authorities said no explosive device was found, and American Airlines resumed normal operations without interruption.
Blanco-Lopez was arrested and charged with making a false report about placing a bomb or explosive. A judge found probable cause and set his bond at $1,000.
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