Bizarre Airport Moment as Woman is Caught Trying to Smuggle 2 Turtles in Her Bra
- A female passenger thought she could fly under the radar, but Transportation Security Administration officers spotted the shells
- She was caught at Miami International Airport trying to smuggle two turtles in her bra, one of them already dead
- Airport officials disclosed that the surviving turtle was handed over to the Department of Fish and Wildlife
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A young woman’s attempt to take her turtles on a trip ended in tragedy after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Miami International Airport discovered she was hiding the reptiles inside her bra.
Source: UGC
According to TSA officials, the woman was passing through a security checkpoint when officers noticed something unusual and discovered two turtles concealed in her brassiere.
Did the turtles survive?
Photos shared on Facebook showed the turtles wrapped in what appeared to be gauze and plastic wrap.
The identity of the woman and whether or not she was penalised for the turtle's death were not expressly revealed.
While TSA allows small pets to go through security, they must be removed from their carriers and carried separately, not hidden in clothing.
Authorities say one of the turtles did not survive the ordeal. The surviving turtle was handed over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Source: Facebook
Can travellers carry live animals?
Incidents of airport officials apprehending tourists who concealed live animals while travelling by air are common.
TSA advises travellers wishing to fly with pets to check with their airline beforehand to understand specific rules for animals on board flights.
As far as TSA screening goes, small pets are allowed through our checkpoint but must be removed from any carriers and carried through the checkpoint (notice we said “carried” and not “hidden underneath your clothing”)," read part of the statement.
It is also critical to understand that when flying with live animals, the carrying case must be X-rayed before departure.
Social media reactions
Social media users wondered how it must have felt to carry the live animals next to her skin for all those hours, and why she didn't just declare her intention to travel with them.
Becky Elizabeth
"So what are her consequences? Any? Or does she just get told to never do that again?"
Chris Pyle
"Stupid people. Thank goodness you caught her, and sad about the one turtle dying."
Melissa Youngblood
"Poor turtles, I hope they charge the person for the cruelty and death of the baby turtle."
Jane Smith
"Funny. Why will people do such when you can simply inform the authorities? Not cool at all."
Nairobi couple arrested for smuggling ants
In an earlier incident, a couple and their colleague were prosecuted for trying to circumvent the proper channels while exporting ants worth KSh 300,000.
Martin Nyota and his wife, Rose Wairimu, were arrested at their home in Gilgil, Nakuru County, alongside Eunice Muthoni.
The three did not have clearance from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to trade in the harvester ants, species Messor cephalotes.
According to the state counsel, the court should make the case urgent, stating that the lives of the ants in court were at stake.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
