Australia alleges smuggler had bird eggs in pants

He has been charged under environmental protection laws

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AP
AP

Sydney: Australians call tiny swimming trunks “budgie smugglers”, but the term might have new meaning after customs officials at Sydney’s airport said on Wednesday that they found 16 wild-bird eggs in the crotch of a passenger’s pants.

The 39-year-old Czech man arrived on Tuesday on a flight from the Middle East when customs officials selected him for a baggage examination, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service said in a statement.

“Officers conducted a frisk search of the man and allegedly found 16 small eggs concealed in his groin area,” the statement said.

There was no word on whether it was budgies — small parrots also known as budgerigars — that were allegedly smuggled. The species has yet to be identified.

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