Japanese police arrested a U.S. civilian who allegedly had a live bullet in her carry-on luggage at Naha Airport, Okinawa, Nov. 30, 2024. (Naha Airport)

NAHA, Okinawa — A civilian employee from Kadena Air Base, home of the 18th Wing, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of attempting to carry live ammunition through a security checkpoint at Naha Airport, according to Okinawa Prefectural Police.

The woman, 24, was found with a handgun bullet in her bag while passing through the airport’s international terminal around 10 a.m. Saturday, a police spokesman said by phone Monday.

She told investigators the bullet belonged to her, the spokesman said. She was taken into custody at the airport about two hours later, detained at Tomishiro Police Station, and released the following day.

Her case has been forwarded to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office for further review, the spokesman said. Stars and Stripes is choosing not to identify the woman until charges are filed.

The spokesman said travelers should carefully check their belongings for prohibited items.

“Anyone carrying live ammunition could face arrest, as seen in this case, and it could disrupt their travel plans,” he said.

It’s customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

“We can confirm that a Kadena-based [status of forces agreement] member was involved in an incident at Naha Airport due to unintentionally carrying unused small arms rounds in their luggage,” Maj. Alli Stormer, 18th Wing spokeswoman, said in an email Monday afternoon. “We are unable to provide any additional information regarding this situation at this time.”