Man tied lizards to chest at airport

PETER MORRIS/SMH

SMUGGLING FAIL: A northern spiky-tailed gecko. A man was arrested in LA while trying to smuggle lizards - including two geckos - tied to his chest.

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A man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport, has been arrested.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service say 40-year-old Michael Plank of Lomita, California, was returning from Australia when US Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks - another type of lizard - fastened to his body.

Plank has been released on US$10,000 bond and will be arraigned in federal court on December 21.

Authorities say the lizards' value totals more than US$8,500. All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated and Plank did not have a permit for them.

- AP