In what might be one of the most bizarre TSA finds yet, a Pennsylvania man was stopped at Newark Liberty International Airport after security scanners detected an unusual object in his pants. It turned out to be a live turtle, wrapped snugly in a blue towel.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the incident occurred last Friday, March 8, 2025, when the East Stroudsburg resident set off a body scanner alarm at the checkpoint.
After a follow-up pat-down revealed something concealed in the groin area, TSA officers asked the man to explain. That’s when he reached into his pants and pulled out a 5-inch red-ear slider turtle, a popular pet species.
According to the Associated Press, TSA promptly notified Port Authority police, who escorted the man away from the security area. As a result, he missed his flight, and the turtle was confiscated. Officials haven’t released the man’s name, nor have they disclosed why he thought his pants were a good hiding spot for a live animal.
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TSA New Jersey Federal Security Director Thomas Carter noted that while the agency has encountered travelers attempting to smuggle knives and other contraband in creative ways, “I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants.” Thankfully, Carter confirmed, “As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions.”
The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined whether the man will face charges. For now, one thing is certain: his attempt to fly under the radar with his shelled companion didn’t go as planned.
