Man caught trying to smuggle pigeons into Australia

An airline passenger was caught trying to smuggle two pigeons into Australia stuffed down his trousers.

The 23-year-old man was searched after two eggs were found in a vitamin container in his luggage, said Richard Janeczko, national investigations manager for the Customs Service

They found the pigeons wrapped in padded envelopes and held to each of the man’s legs with a pair of tights.

Officials also seized seeds in his money belt and an undeclared eggplant.

The bird smuggler, who arrived in Melbourne on Sunday on a flight from Dubai, was being questioned.

Australia has strict quarantine regulations on the importation of wildlife, plants and food to protect health, agriculture and the environment of the isolated island nation.

Charges of wildlife smuggling – which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years jail and a fine of €66,300 – could be brought against the man.

Mr Janeczko said the pigeons were not endangered and that the case – as well as the birds, eggs and seeds – had been turned over to the Quarantine Service to assess the health risk associated with bringing the birds into the country.