Posted by on June 08, 2005 at 06:37:47:
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- An Australian woman was found to be carrying 51 live tropical fish after custom officials were alerted by "flipping" noises coming from beneath her skirt as she arrived at Melbourne airport.
On closer inspection, officers discovered the woman had strapped on an apron of plastic water-filled bags containing the fish, the Australian Customs Service said in a statement on Tuesday.
"During the search, customs officers became suspicious after hearing 'flipping' noises coming from the vicinity of her waist," said the statement.
The 43-year-old woman arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Singapore last Friday. Customs are still trying to determine what type of fish she brought into the country and have not yet charged her with an offense.
She could face charges for breaking quarantine and customs laws for bringing in the fish without giving a declaration.