NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — An individual from Pennsylvania passing through security at a New Jersey airport was discovered to have a live turtle hidden in his pants, as reported by the federal Transportation Security Administration. The turtle was detected on Friday following an alarm from a body scanner at Newark Liberty International Airport. A TSA officer proceeded to perform a pat-down on the man from East Stroudsburg and identified an object concealed in the groin area of his pants. Upon further inquiry, the man reached into his pants and extracted the turtle, which measured approximately 5 inches (12 centimeters) in length and was wrapped in a small blue towel. He identified it as a red-ear slider turtle, a popular pet species. The individual, whose identity was not disclosed, was escorted away from the checkpoint by Port Authority police and missed his scheduled flight. The turtle was confiscated, and it remains uncertain whether the turtle was the man’s pet or the reason for having it hidden in his pants.
Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, commented, “While we have encountered travelers attempting to conceal knives and other weapons on their person or in their belongings, this appears to be the first instance where someone was concealing a live animal in their pants.” Carter added, “To the best of our knowledge, the turtle did not suffer any harm due to the individual’s actions.” The matter is currently under investigation, and the potential for the man to face charges or penalties was not immediately clear.
