Man caught smuggling 14 live birds in his trousers
Passenger causes a flap at customs
7 May 2009
A SMUGGLER has been caught trying to bring 14 live birds into the United states – under his trousers.
Sony Dong was arrested in Los Angeles after US marshals spotted droppings on his socks, and feathers poking out of the bottom of his trousers. He had just arrived on a flight from Vietnam, where rare songbirds are easily available.
The songbirds were hidden in a custom-made pair of trousers, that strapped each of the birds in an individual pouch, which were then bound to Dong’s legs.
The 14 songbirds he was attempting to smuggle cost around £15 to £20 in Vietnam, but can be sold to collectors in the States for anywhere up to £250.
Inspectors decided to search Dong because he had abandoned a suitcase containing 18 birds at the airport in December. Five of the birds died during the journey.
Dong returned to Vietnam in February for more birds and returned a month later with them hidden under his trousers.
The birds are in quarantine and could be given to a zoo if they are not carrying any diseases, such as avian flu.
did you miss?
features
News by…
Topics
Football
People
Julia Buckley
Places
Usa
-
Stoke Newington
Character flat:All bills inc/WiFi,cable15 min2City
£180pw -
Morden Hall Park
Nice Double room in flatshare
£105pcm -
Peckham
F/furnished Doble room in lovely clean house share
£100pw
- gallery:
- all
- thelondonpaper
