Sometimes you just have to wonder what people are thinking. Forty-year old Michael Plank of Lomita, California was arrested last week while attempting to pass through U.S. Customs at Los Angeles International Airport with two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks in a money belt wrapped around his chest.
Say what? I kid you not. The lizards, valued at $8,500 and strictly regulated in Australia can cost Plank as much as a $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Plank didn't have the required export permit from Australia and was obviously trying to sneak the lizards into the U.S. without being detected.
Being someone who gets squirmy just thinking about one lizard let alone 15, I can't imagine taking a flight of 14 hours and 30 minutes with live (or dead) lizards in a money belt under my clothes. Then there was the additional time of getting prepared to take such a flight, the airport check-in, somehow getting through security and then taking the flight itself. Can you even imagine doing all of this and getting caught? I think Mr. Plank has taken stupidity to a new level.
Maybe he was envisioning a re-enactment of the movie "Snakes on a Plane"? Or perhaps Mr. Plank was going to propose a new mascot for Geico Insurance?
Comments
Too, too strange! It gives me the "willies" just thinking about it! This should go down in the annals of "stupid crooks!"
Weirder and weirder.
This is a popular topic today among airport examiners. (See also San Diego Airport Examiner). However, will leave a similar comment here...What was he thinking???? Surreal, I think. It's also scary that he got thru airport security, no matter what country.
I love it! People like that make the world go round!
I have seen trendy belts with pictures of geckos and lizards on them, but this guy took fashion to a brand new level. An actual belt with real lizards. He must frown on those whimps that have those other belts.
crazy.
Very well written story, Marc. Good information, and told with style. Kudos, at least 5 salamanders.
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