The softer side of aviation

ANYTHING TO DECLARE?

A Californian has been jailed after he was caught smuggling monkeys in his pants.

Los Angeles airport officials were stunned when they opened Robert Cusack’s suitcase and a bird of paradise flew out.

But they had another surprise when they asked if he had anything else to tell them – and Cusack responded: “Yes, I’ve got monkeys in my pants.”

He was sentenced to 57 days in jail for trying to smuggle the pygmy monkeys, a total of four exotic birds and 50 rare orchids into Los Angeles Airport after a trip to Thailand, officials said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Johns said Cusack had been undergoing a routine inspection when he arrived last June until an official opened his suitcase.

“It became non-routine when they opened his luggage and a bird of paradise took off flying in the terminal,” Mr Johns said.

Johns said the agents found three more birds in his bag, tucked into nylon stockings, along with 50 orchids of a threatened species.

Source: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-12203289,00.html