How NOT to smuggle songbirds (as if there is a good way)

[underpants]

This undated photo provided by the Department of Justice shows detained suspect Sony Dong, with songbirds strapped to his legs at Los Angeles International Airport. Dong was charged Tuesday, May 5, 2009 with smuggling song birds into the United States by strapping more than a dozen of them to his legs and trying to walk out of the Los Angeles International Airport.
(AP Photo/Department of Justice)

Calif. men accused of smuggling songbirds
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i4KqpJQpLa7M6uOyhPIxf5nEBpnAD980HC200

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man was charged Tuesday with smuggling songbirds into the United States by hiding more than a dozen of them in an elaborate, custom-tailored pair of leggings during a flight from Vietnam to Los Angeles.

Sony Dong, 46, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in March after an inspector spotted bird feathers and droppings on his socks and tail feathers peeking out from under his pants, prosecutors said.

"He had fashioned these special cloth devices to hold the birds," said U.S. attorney spokesman Thom Mrozek. "They were secured by cloth wrappings and attached to his calves with buttons."

Authorities later linked Dong's scheme to Duc Le, who was arrested after investigators searched his Orange County home and found 51 songbirds in an outdoor aviary. Both are charged with conspiracy in an eight-count federal indictment.

The songbirds sell for $10 to $30 in Vietnam and are sold to collectors in the United States for about $400, Mrozek said.

"They're rare and there are collectors who are willing to pay top dollar for these things," he said.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife inspectors flagged Dong for inspection because he had abandoned a suitcase containing 18 birds at the Los Angeles airport in December, Mrozek said. Five of the birds died in transit.

[babylonsister]

1. "after an inspector spotted bird feathers and droppings on his socks and tail feathers peeking out

from under his pants"

:rofl:

Did they sing at all, I wonder.

[HopeHoops]

2. He forgot to duct tape them shut.

I HATE when I forget that!

[Occam Bandage]

3. "That chirping noise? My feet are happy. I'm using Dr. Scholls."

[GKirk]

4. My hunch is that

people have done this and gotten away with it. But what a whacky idea.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. He's lucky they didn't think his nuts were edible.