Chicago man arrested at Boston airport for carrying ‘vampire straw’ through security
Boston MA April 27, 2023 A man allegedly tried to carry a “vampire straw” through airport security in Boston — but authorities bared their fangs and arrested him.
TSA agents at Logan International Airport on Sunday found the titanium straw with a beveled end inside the backpack of Arman Achuthan Nair, 26, of Chicago, the Boston Globe reported.
It was “artfully concealed among titanium chopsticks,” TSA spokesman Daniel Velez said.
State troopers confiscated the sharp implement at Terminal B near Gate 24 at about 5:40 p.m.
Achuthan Nair said he brought it from Szabo Inc., which sells knives and other edged instruments and weapons, officials said.
The company promotes the product — which sells for $85 — as a drinking straw that can be used for self-defense.
“Machined one at the time in the USA out of grade 9 titanium, the Vampire straw is truly a custom made item,” it says on its website.
Arman Achuthan Nair, 26, of Chicago, was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon.
“The Vampire straw is also long enough to drink from any long beverage can,” the company continues. “Designed for self defense, the Vampire straw is super tough and long enough to be used like a dagger.”
It touts its tip as “sharp enough to puncture most synthetic materials.”
“The Vampire straw is also a very effective tire deflator, and can be carried in a cup, in public without attracting attention. From a cup, the Vampire straw is very easy to deploy in reverse grip, and put into action almost instantly,” the company says.
