NEWARK, N.J. — A Pennsylvania man was caught attempting to smuggle a live turtle in his pants at Newark Liberty International Airport after a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) body scanner detected an anomaly near his groin, officials said.
The incident occurred Friday when TSA officers flagged the man for additional screening. During a pat-down, an officer determined that something was concealed in his pants. When questioned, the East Stroudsburg, Pa., resident reached into the front of his pants and pulled out a red-eared slider turtle wrapped in a small blue towel. The turtle was approximately five inches long.
Port Authority Police took possession of the reptile and indicated they would notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local animal control officials. The man, who missed his flight, was escorted out of the checkpoint by police.
TSA officials said it was an unusual discovery. “I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
Authorities did not say if the man would face any charges.