Skirt conceals live fish
June 6, 2005 - 11:03PM

A woman has tried to smuggle 51 live tropical fish into Australia concealed beneath her skirt.
The woman, aged 43 from Rosanna, in Victoria, arrived at Melbourne airport on a flight from Singapore on Friday.
Customs officers said they were alerted by "flipping" noises coming from the vicinity of her waist.
The woman was found to have 15 water-filled plastic bags concealed beneath her skirt, suspended in a purpose-built apron, said Australian Customs Service acting regional director Jaclyne Fisher.
Efforts were continuing to identify the fish found inside the bags, Ms Fisher said.
A Rosanna home has also been searched by authorities and another five fish seized.
"The fish ... could have posed potentially serious quarantine, environmental and health risks had they not been seized by Customs," Ms Fisher said.
The woman is facing a maximum penalty for the illegal importation of wildlife of $110,000 and ten years' jail.
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.
"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.
AAP

SMH 7-6-5

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Unusual-Tales/Skirt-conceals-live-fish/2005/06/06/1117910244006.html






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