By Carolyn Kissoon From Trinidad Express

It is no secret that women love to step out in style.

But when it involves accessories resembling arms and ammunition being transported through an airport then it becomes a national security matter.

Trinidadian Kashma Maharaj made international headlines at the weekend when she attempted to pass through a checkpoint at the Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport toting weapon-themed shoes and bracelets in her carry-on luggage.

Maharaj, a bodybuilder and fitness instructor, was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents as she moved through the checkpoint. The bracelets and shoes were decorated with bullets. And the footwear had heels resembling revolvers.

Maharaj was told that the TSA prohibits items resembling guns and ammunition being taken past checkpoints.

Reports stated that Maharaj attempted to check the items but found it was too late to do so. And in the interest of not missing her flight, Maharaj relinquished the items to security personnel.

Her story headlined international mainstream media including CNN, FOX, NBC and Daily Mail.

Maharaj posted the articles on her Facebook page and wrote, “I need new shoes. Can’t believe this is on CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS, YOUTUBE & TIMES….really important story and quite a task for TSA. I have no beef with TSA though, just people doing their job but this lil rule was silly. Granted, my shoes are interesting and it went well with my police woman/ secret agent domme outfits, they didn’t need to get TSA all riled up or get news coverage. I cant help but be bad smile emoticon.”

Maharaj, a past Naparima Girls’ High School pupil, was featured in the Express Woman magazine in 2010. She holds several local bodybuilding titles including the Mr and Miss South Bodybuilding Championships (2008) Figure category, the CJ Sammy Classic (2008) Figure Category, TTBBF National Juniors (2009) Women’s bodybuilding open class, TTBBF National Seniors (2009) Women’s bodybuilding open class and the North vs South Bodybuilding Championships (2009) Women’s bodybuilding open class among others.

IMAGES:

Taken: The pair of stiletto heels taken from Kashma Maharaj at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport

I need new shoes: Kashma Maharaj. Source: Instagram

Tweet from TSA
The United States Transport Security Agency (TSA) which is charged conducting searches of travellers entering or leaving the US, posted images of the seizure on its Twitter page.

For more on this story go to: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160304/news/they-seized-her-guns-and-bullets-heels