Posted on 06/07/2005 6:47:04 AM PDT by sully777
A WOMAN has been arrested for trying to smuggle dozens of live tropical fish into Australia by hiding them under her skirt as she passed through customs.
The woman, who has not been identified, was carrying the fish in a specially constructed apron with pouches to hold water-filled bags.
Customs officials at Melbourne airport stopped the woman as she arrived on a flight from Singapore.
They were alerted after hearing a "flipping" sound coming from her skirt.
When she was searched the woman was found to be carrying 51 live tropical fish.
"During the search customs officers became suspicious after hearing noises coming from the vicinity of her waist," the Australian Customs Service said in a press release.
"An examination revealed 15 plastic water-filled bags holding fish concealed inside a purpose-built apron."
The species of fish was not immediately known, but customs officials warned they could carry diseases that could wipe out Australian fish if they escaped into local rivers.
"The fish... could have posed potentially serious quarantine, environmental and health risks had they not been seized by customs," Jaclyne Fisher, a customs service spokeswoman said.
Customs officers will charge the woman, aged 43, once they have established what species the fish are.
If convicted of smuggling wildlife, she faces a fine of up to AUS$110,000 (£45,000) and could also receive a prison sentence of up to ten years.
It is the second seizure of live fish at Melbourne's airport in recent months.
In March, customs officers stopped an alleged attempt to smuggle rare Asian Arowana fish by an airline crew member.
The 26-year-old flight attendant was reportedly found to have 16 of the live fish concealed in water-filled bags in his luggage.
Customs officials stopped him after an X-ray machine showed irregularities in his baggage.
"Wildlife trafficking is a cruel practice as many of the offenders ignore the health and well-being of the animals by packing them tightly in small areas for long periods of time," Ms Fisher said.
Australia has some of the world's toughest quarantine laws, to protect its unique flora and fauna from imported diseases.
Smuggling live animals is a lucrative trade and has in the past been linked with organised crime.
A recent report from the WWF suggested profits of up to 800 per cent could be commanded with the risks of detection relatively low when compared with other illicit contraband.
A British wildlife film-maker pleaded guilty in 2003 to 30 charges of trying to smuggle almost 200 protected animals out of Australia.
Michael Linley, who produced films for National Geographic and the ITV Survival series, was caught with 187 frogs, lizards and 26 eggs in his luggage during an X-ray check at Perth airport on 20 October 2003.
"... you get your wish."
Oh boy, this should be good!
I'm not making this up...ping
I was on this thread last night, the puns were hilarious.
Looks like she's been "pan fried!"
Was it a "Snapper"?
Maybe she was just "Finding Nemo?"
Thanks! I'll be here all week! *Ba-Dump-Dump*
'Oh my' ping....
It certainly "smells like fish" now!
??
I was thinking Cat.
Blind lesbians in a fish market.....
What did the blind man say as he walked by the fish market?
Australia has some of the world's toughest quarantine laws, to protect its unique flora and fauna from imported diseases. <<
It was a hare brained scheme.
They actually have a 4,000 mile fence to keep some of the unnatural species from destroying the ecosystem.
Wild.
DK
** snort **
Well, there's two things that smell like fish..and one of 'ems fish....
I'm not gonna touch this one with a ten foot fishing pole.
yep...but we don't care do we?
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