Man Fined Over Thai Crocodile Luggage

[Jai Dee]

Man fined over crocodile luggage

A MAN has been caught trying to smuggle a luggage-load of animals, including a crocodile, into China.

The animals secreted in his bags included a crocodile, six snakes, 46 turtles and tortoises and 11 flying squirrels, the government said.

The man was caught on Monday when he arrived on a flight from Thailand at Hong Kong.

The crocodile was identified as a highly endangered species. The man was also transporting three keeled land tortoises, black pond turtles, radiated tortoises and true tortoises - all endangered species, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

A court fined the man $HK16,000 ($2633) yesterday and sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, for failing to have a permit or health certification.

Source: The Australian - January 10, 2007

[Jai Dee]

Tourist caught with Thai crocodile, snakes

A smuggled has been prosecuted after he was caught with a small crocodile, six snakes, 46 turtles and tortoises and 11 flying squirrels in his luggage at Hong Kong airport, officials said Wednesday.

The man, who arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on Monday evening, had a fish-eating crocodile in his trunk along with other endangered species including three-keeled land tortoises, black pond turtles and radiated tortoises.

He admitted smuggling endangered animals and appeared in court Tuesday where he was fined 2,000 US dollars and given a six-month suspended jail term, a spokesman for Hong Kong's agriculture and fisheries department said. All the reptiles were dead.

Hong Kong, a city of 6.8 million, is a transit point for trade in wildlife and endangered species. The items smuggled in the man's luggage are believed to have been destined for mainland China where rare animals are used in food and medicine.

Source: DPA - 11 January 2007

[ashacat]

Som nam na

[leisurely]

Call me daft, but what use would dead animals be to anyone?

[pampal]

How big was his suitcase?

[kmart]

Call me daft, but what use would dead animals be to anyone?

You eat live ones do you?

Chinese medicine probably.

[Tony Clifton]

Call me daft, but what use would dead animals be to anyone?

A dead animal smuggler on display would have more use.

[Tony Clifton]

Call me daft, but what use would dead animals be to anyone?

A dead animal smuggler on display would have more use.

[terry57]

dont they scan bags at bangkok airport. ?

could of had bomb up the crocs back bottom.

[Tony Clifton]

Call me daft, but what use would dead animals be to anyone?

Triplicate post.

Edited January 11, 2007 by Tony Clifton