Can spies take weapons when they travel commercial?
First, let’s dispel a few myths: spies don’t zip around the world on private planes. This would make them stand out way too much to be of much use. Get those images of James Bond out of your heads. We DO NOT want you to recognize us the moment we set foot in a new location. (This also means we usually have little or no social media.) Spies, spooks, and even members of the military can and do fly commercial.
For those in the military, when it’s a small number of troops moving, they aren’t taking weapons with them. The rest of their gear is not really a big deal. Many of the carriers, Delta being the most well known, will waive overweight fees for military passengers on orders. Otherwise, the service member has a government travel card that picks up the charges. That’s enough at least for me, and the other men and women who serve in uniform.
Now, on to members of the intelligence community. How do we get weapons in a foreign land?
We might have them broken down and packed in our checked luggage. Things like hair dryers, alarm clocks, and even aerosol cans can be modified to hold parts of weapons, particularly handguns. Since I’m not writing a How-To manual or giving advice to a fellow creepy contact, I’m not going into detail here, except to say that the modified item must still function as expected. That hair dryer must still blow hot air, and that can of hairspray must still dispense hair spray, etc.
(Injection from Judy L Mohr: For those who don't believe that this is possible, go back and watch (or read) Jurassic Park. The technician is to smuggle out the embryos in a functioning shaving foam aerosol can. In the movie, they deliberately show how the can works.)
Sometimes, there’s already a cache of weapons waiting for us. These may have been brought into the country by any number of methods. Overnight shipping of product samples—again the modified items must still do their jobs. Assistance from the embassy—diplomats have immunity from prosecution on foreign lands. (Much to the dismay of the NYPD, this includes immunity from parking tickets.) This immunity also applies to what is commonly called a diplomatic pouch.
Let’s start off with what is a diplomatic pouch.
- It can be any size or shape.
- It must bear the correct markings and other official designations.
- Sometimes the bill of lading (freight documents) will say nothing more than from (Location A) to (Location B).
- The contents will be listed as diplomatic pouch.
- These shipments, whether they are accompanied or not, CAN NOT be searched, inspected, x-rayed or examined for anything other than the presence of the official markings.
- There is no weight limit.
- A pouch can be a bag, a crate, a locked brief case... Well, you get the idea.
Now, the term diplomatic pouch is very specific. Other similar sounding term, such as diplomatic cargo and diplomatic mail, do not get the same privileges.
So, yes, those at the State Department will sometimes help out their spooky cousins, wittingly or not. Other times, we can’t rely on the embassy for any number of reasons. Maybe it’s a country where we don’t have an embassy—yes, there are a few.
Iran springs to mind. We haven’t had an embassy or diplomatic relations with them since the 1979 revolution. (When you storm an embassy and hold people as hostages for more than a year…) This means one would have to bring or purchase what they need in country.
If you are going to purchase things in country bring plenty of western or hard currency. You can expect to pay a markup. You are dealing with the black market. Knives while not TSA approved can make excellent weapons until your spook can purchase buy or even (gasp) steal what they need. Remember spooks and spies are not always in place long term. Often, they come and go within a week or less.
So, the next time you fly to your favorite holiday destination, be aware that the person you're sitting next to could be more than another tourist. And no, they won't tell you the truth.
