Florida Woman Tries Smuggling Turtles in Her Bra at Miami Airport

A Florida woman is in hot water after TSA agents at Miami International Airport found two live turtles tucked inside her bra.

The discovery was made during a routine security screening, and photos shared by the agency show the reptiles wrapped in gauze and plastic, clearly hidden in an attempt to avoid detection.

Only one of the turtles survived. The other died before wildlife officials could step in. The surviving turtle was handed over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife for care.

TSA didn’t identify the woman or specify what kind of turtles were involved.

On social media, the agency posted a blunt message:

“Friends, please — and we cannot emphasize this enough — stop hiding animals in weird places on your body and then trying to sneak them through airport security.”

TSA reminded travelers that turtles are allowed through security, but they must be removed from carriers and held by hand — not shoved into bras or pants.

The animal’s container goes through the X-ray machine, while the animal itself is carried through the checkpoint.

But smuggling animals under clothing isn’t just against the rules — it’s dangerous and potentially deadly, as this case clearly showed.

TSA followed up with this pointed line:

“Notice we said ‘carried’ and not ‘hidden underneath your clothing.’”

This isn’t the first time someone tried to sneak a reptile through airport security.

Just a few months ago, a traveler at Newark Liberty International Airport tried to smuggle an invasive turtle in the front of his pants. The animal survived, but the stunt raised similar concerns.

Animal smuggling through U.S. airports has become a growing problem. In 2024, TSA agents stopped a man from bringing a bag of snakes onto a plane.

The year before, Miami airport officials found a duffel bag full of smuggled Amazon parrot eggs and live birds after hearing chirping sounds.

That man had arrived from Nicaragua and was on his way to Taiwan. He later pled guilty to smuggling charges.

Trying to sneak live animals through airport security — especially in clothes or unapproved containers — can harm the animals and lead to criminal charges. TSA and wildlife officials are cracking down, especially as smugglers get more creative and careless.

Bottom line? If you really care about your pets (or wildlife in general), don’t shove them in your underwear and hope for the best.

There are rules for a reason — and smuggling living creatures in body wraps isn’t just reckless. It’s deadly.