Woman charged with smuggling fish in skirt

updated 3:43 p.m. ET June 6, 2005

SYDNEY, Australia - There must have been something fishy about the way she walked. Customs officials said Monday they stopped a woman as she arrived Friday in the southern city of Melbourne on a flight from Singapore and found 51 live tropical fish allegedly hidden in a specially designed apron under her skirt.

"During the search customs officers became suspicious after hearing 'flipping' 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 allegedly concealed inside a purpose-built apron."

The species of fish was not immediately known, but customs officials warned they could carry diseases that could decimate Australian fish if they escaped into local rivers.

Customs officers will charge the woman once they establish what species the fish are. If convicted of smuggling wildlife, she faces a fine of up to U.S. $83,617 and could also get a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

‘Haunted’ Milwaukee hotel scares MLB teams Tot plays hide-and-seek much too well It's not slang! Nev. court permits ‘HOE’ license Iowans rethink Jackson butter statue Cops: Man went naked to dental appointment Turtles on runway delay flights in New York Drunken man shocks Spain with his generosity Drunken badger disrupts traffic in Germany Half-naked motorist to cops: I lost my pants Teacher sorry for mock wedding to 4th grader Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: