Pennsylvania Man Caught Smuggling 5-Inch Red-Ear Slider Turtle Through Newark Airport Security on March 7

A Pennsylvania man was apprehended at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday, March 7, after attempting to smuggle a live turtle through airport security. The incident occurred when a body scanner triggered an alarm in the area of the man's groin, leading to a pat-down by a TSA officer. Upon further inspection, the man from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, revealed a 5-inch red-ear slider turtle wrapped in a blue towel, which he had concealed in his pants. The turtle, a popular pet species, was confiscated by the TSA, and the man missed his flight as he was escorted out of the security checkpoint by Port Authority Police. The Port Authority Police took possession of the turtle and planned to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local animal control officials. Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director for New Jersey, noted that this was the first instance of someone attempting to smuggle a live animal through security in this manner. The turtle was reported to be unharmed.