Man caught at airport with live turtle down pants

Transportation Security Administration officers made a shock discovery at Newark Airport passenger screening – a live turtle stuffed down a man’s pants.

The body scanner detected a concealed item in the Pennsylvania man’s pants.

When confronted, the traveler ‘pulled out a live turtle.’

It was a five-inch-long red-ear slider turtle wrapped in a towel.

Police took possession of the reptile who later handed it over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers.

The man was initially detained by police and not permitted to travel.

It is unclear if he will face wildlife smuggling charges.

“We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, 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,” Thomas Carter, the TSA’s federal security director for New Jersey, said.

“As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions.”

Related News Stories:  Man caught attempting to smuggle living turtle through airport ...     Man found with a live turtle concealed in his pants by TSA at a New ...     Man tried to sneak invasive turtle through airport security in his pants ...     Man caught with live turtle in pants at Newark Airport leaves TSA ...     Pennsylvania man caught trying to smuggle live turtle down his ...     TSA stops man with turtle concealed in his groin | Transportation ...     Man found with a live turtle concealed in his pants by TSA at a New ...     Newark Airport: Man pulls live turtle from his pants – NBC New York     Shell-shocked! Man caught trying to sneak live turtle down his pants ...     Man caught trying to hide live turtle in his pants at Newark Airport