Last week, TSA agents in Denver detained actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies, as they reportedly attempted to confiscate his light saber-shaped cane, which the 7-foot, 2-inch actor requires to walk.

Mayhew, who was on his way home to Dallas after the Denver Comic Con, tweeted about the incident, and then informed his followers that he was only released – with his cane – after the news hit Twitter.

In a statement to the Associated Press, the TSA denied Mayhew's account:

"Because of the unusual weight of the passenger's cane, a security officer alerted a supervisor. Less than five minutes later the passenger and cane were cleared to travel. Social media played no role in the determination," the TSA said in a brief statement released to The Associated Press on Saturday.

But for those of you who believe the TSA's story, or would accuse the 69 year-old Mayhew of exaggerating, take note of his response to a doubting follower on Twitter:

Liberty first. Can't wait for Mayhew's “Free Snowden” tweet.

[Image via Peter Mayhew]

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