Smuggler ties 15 lizards to his chest

Customs officials find live lizards strapped to man's chest at Los Angeles International Airport

By TOM PHILLIPS - Monday, November 23, 2009

The annals of unusual animal smuggling attempts got another entry on Friday, when officials arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest as he tried to get them through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said on Friday that 40-year-old Michael Plank of California was returning from Australia when U.S. Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks fastened to his body Tuesday.

Plank has been released on $10,000 (around £6,030) bond and will be arraigned in a federal court on December 21.

Authorities say the lizards' value totals more than $8,500 (about £5,125). All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated and Plank did not have a permit to import them, let alone strap them to his chest.

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