Miami's Vice: Thousands of Pounds of Alcohol Destroyed Monthly at Airport

March 21, 2007 — -- Liquor is causing a peculiar brand of trouble at Miami International Airport, and it's not drunken behavior.

Since the Transport Security Administration's 3-1-1 campaign began, liquid items have been restricted in carry-on luggage to 3-ounce containers in one quart-size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger.

In Miami, many travelers have not received the message that this policy applies to bottles of alcohol they may be carrying home from a sunny vacation in the Caribbean.

Travelers from Europe are adding to the load too.

"They are allowed to buy duty-free items and have them onboard in a sealed bag, but they need to realize that they must pack this bag into their checked luggage before connecting to their domestic flight where they'll have to pass through a security check," says Sari Koshetz, a TSA spokesperson.

Though the regulation has been in place since last summer, Miami travelers still attempt to take large bottles of liquids -- mainly alcohol -- through security checkpoints regularly.

"In February, 6,267 pounds of hazardous materials, mostly alcohol and a small amount of perfume, was surrendered to us," says Koshetz.

Each Miami checkpoint is now outfitted with lockers and cabinets to house what the TSA call "hazmats" -- contraband rum, vodka, tequila and the occasional perfume bottle.

Miami's popularity as a cruise ship port factors into the problem, explains Miami Dade Aviation Department spokesman Marc Henderson.

These duty free purchases are slightly less expensive than what vacationers might find at home, and so the impulse is to buy.

"We don't confiscate alcohol. Travelers have the option to box their spirits and place them in checked luggage -- even if that means going back out to check-in," says Koshetz.