A Chinese man was stopped while boarding his flight at China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport earlier this week after officials noted an irregularity in his luggage — a sandwich containing a suspicious lump. Further inspection showed the lump to be living — a pet turtle the man was trying to smuggle onboard inside a hamburger.
The man was going through security when an X-ray scanner revealed a distinctly turtle-shaped lump tucked inside a KFC hamburger stowed in his carry on. According to UPI:
“There’s no turtle in there, just a hamburger,” the man allegedly told authorities. “There’s nothing special to see inside.”
This is, of course, pretty much a guarantee that there definitely a turtle inside that hamburger, and, lo and behold, that’s exactly what security found after taking him aside for a closer inspection. The turtle was apparently a dear pet from which the man couldn’t bear to be parted. He was eventually convinced to leave the animal with a friend for safekeeping during his travels after being informed that no, he was not allowed to bring a live turtle on the plane with him, no matter how cleverly he concealed it.
Remember, folks — if you’re trying to get your turtle on a plane, don’t smuggle them inside of fast food. It’s uncomfortable for the turtle and you’re likely to ruin a perfectly good sandwich in the bargain. Instead, please place all of your turtles in a transparent, 1-quart freezer bag so that TSA agents can admire them properly as they move through security.