(WBRE/WYOU) — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says a man from Pennsylvania was caught with a turtle hidden in his pants at a New Jersey airport.
The TSA explained in a release on Friday, March 7, the East Stroudsburg man was caught with the turtle in his pants when a TSA body scanner triggered an alarm in the area of the man’s groin at the Newark Liberty International Airport.
Authorities say a TSA officer performed a pat-down in the area of where the alarm was triggered and determined there was something concealed in the area of the man’s groin.
When officials asked if there was something hidden in his pants, the man reached down the front of his pants and pulled out a live turtle measuring about five inches long wrapped in a blue towel.
Officials were told by the man it was a red-ear slider turtle.
Port Authority Police took possession of the turtle, questioned the man, and indicated they would contact the local animal control officials and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, authorities said.
Officials say the man was escorted out of the checkpoint by police and missed his flight.
“I commend our officer who conducted the pat-down in a very professional manner in an effort to resolve the alarm. We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes and in their luggage, however I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants. As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions.”
TSA Federal Security Director for New Jersey Thomas Carter
