TSA Agents Confront Unexpected Smuggling Incident At Newark International

Traveler with luggage watches airplane take off at airport.

A Pennsylvania man was caught attempting to smuggle a live animal through Newark Liberty International Airport security by hiding it in his pants, leading to his removal from the airport and raising questions about his motives.

Key Takeaways

A Pennsylvania man concealed a live red-ear slider turtle in his pants at Newark Airport, discovered when TSA body scanners alarmed in his groin area.
TSA officers conducted a professional pat-down that revealed the approximately five-inch turtle wrapped in a towel, which appeared unharmed by the smuggling attempt.
Port Authority Police questioned the man and took possession of the turtle, while the passenger missed his flight and was escorted out of the security checkpoint.
According to TSA officials, this marks the first known case of someone attempting to smuggle a live animal through security in this particular manner.
The incident remains under investigation to determine if the man will face charges or penalties for his actions.

Unusual Discovery at Airport Security

TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport made an unexpected discovery when a body scanner alerted them to something suspicious in a male passenger’s groin area. The Pennsylvania man from East Stroudsburg triggered security protocols during routine screening procedures, leading to a pat-down inspection. When directly questioned about what might be hidden in his pants, the passenger reached down and produced a live turtle that had been concealed there, wrapped in a towel.

The turtle was identified as a red-ear slider, a popular pet turtle species in the United States, measuring approximately five inches in length. Despite the unusual transportation method, authorities reported that the animal appeared unharmed from its concealment. Port Authority Police were immediately summoned to the checkpoint, where they questioned the man about his possession of the reptile and ultimately took custody of the turtle.

Consequences and Official Response

Following the discovery, police escorted the passenger away from the security checkpoint. As a result of the incident and subsequent questioning, the man missed his scheduled flight. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the man kept the turtle as a pet or what his reasons might have been for attempting to transport it in such a manner. The investigation continues to determine if he will face any charges or penalties for his actions.

Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, commended the officer who conducted the pat-down for handling the situation professionally. The incident has been noted as unprecedented at Newark Liberty International Airport, marking what officials believe to be the first case of someone attempting to smuggle a live animal through security in such a manner. While unusual, the event highlights the various challenges faced by TSA personnel in maintaining security protocols.

“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,” Carter said.

Similar Security Incidents

This strange occurrence at Newark Airport is not entirely without precedent in the world of airport security. TSA officials noted a somewhat similar case where a cat was discovered inside a bag at Norfolk International Airport. These incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of security screening and the variety of unusual items that passengers sometimes attempt to bring through checkpoints, whether intentionally concealed or not.

The TSA regularly encounters prohibited items at security checkpoints, but live animals concealed on a person’s body represent an unusual category of discovery. While passengers are permitted to travel with certain pets following airline and TSA regulations, proper carriers and advance arrangements are typically required. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to established transportation guidelines, particularly when traveling with animals.