You’d think the TSA has seen it all by now—but apparently not. In two bizarre and shocking incidents at U.S. airports, travelers attempted to smuggle live turtles through security. One was at Miami International, and the other at Newark Liberty Airport. The cases are as surreal as they are serious, and yes, TSA had something to say about it—with their usual sarcastic flair.
Let’s take a look at what happened, what it means, and why hiding turtles in your underwear is definitely not the move.
Miami
Here’s a headline you don’t read every day: Turtles found hidden in a bra. That’s exactly what happened when TSA agents at Miami International Airport detected something suspicious on a body scanner. The strange object? Two live turtles—one wrapped in medical tape, the other in plastic—nestled inside a woman’s bra.
Needless to say, she was pulled aside. TSA agents called in the Miami-Dade sheriff, Border Patrol, and Florida Fish and Wildlife. Thankfully, the turtles were rescued unharmed, and the woman wasn’t injured either.
And yes, TSA couldn’t resist commenting on social media. On their X account, they posted:
“Once again: please stop hiding animals in strange body parts before going through security.”
Newark
Just weeks earlier, another case unfolded at Newark Airport in New Jersey. This time, a man from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, tried to sneak through security with a five-inch turtle stuffed into his crotch, wrapped in a towel.
You can’t make this up.
Again, the body scanner flagged something odd. A pat-down revealed the turtle, and the man gave it up voluntarily. He was denied boarding and escorted out. The turtle? Handed over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
TSA’s New Jersey security director, Thomas Carter, summed it up perfectly:
“We’ve seen everything—knives, guns… but this is the first time someone has tried to smuggle a live turtle in their pants.”
Protection
Most people think TSA only looks for weapons, drugs, or liquids over 3.4 ounces. But part of their job is to protect wildlife too. Smuggling live animals in bras, pants, or carry-ons is a violation of animal welfare laws and wildlife trafficking regulations.
And yes, they will catch you. TSA’s scanners don’t just find weapons—they flag unusual shapes anywhere on the body. If something looks odd, it gets checked.
Penalties
So, what happens if you try to sneak an animal through security? It’s not a slap on the wrist. You could face:
- Fines (often thousands of dollars)
- Airport bans
- Criminal charges, especially if the animal is protected
Turtles, in particular, fall under certain federal and state protections, especially when it comes to endangered or exotic species.
If you need to fly with an animal, here’s a tip: do it legally. That means:
- Checking the airline’s rules
- Getting the right documentation
- Ensuring the species is allowed to fly
- Using proper pet carriers—not your bra or boxers
Technology
In both cases, the TSA’s advanced imaging scanners did exactly what they’re supposed to do. They picked up on strange body shapes and triggered further inspection. And as we’ve seen, it doesn’t take a weapon to raise an alert—just a turtle in the wrong place.
So, while this whole situation may sound funny, it’s really not. It’s about animal safety, passenger security, and following the law. And TSA wants to make one thing absolutely clear:
Do not smuggle animals through airport security. Ever.
FAQs
Where were the turtles smuggled?
One case was in Miami, the other in Newark Airport.
How were the turtles hidden?
One was in a bra, the other in a man’s pants.
What happens if you smuggle animals?
You can face fines and possible criminal charges.
What did TSA say on social media?
They jokingly asked people to stop hiding animals in clothing.
Can TSA scanners detect live animals?
Yes, scanners flag unusual shapes on the body.
