Australia alleges smuggler had bird eggs in pants

This May 20, 2014 Hand Out Photo supplied by Australia Customs and Boarder Protection shows small bird eggs hidden in strips of fabric removed from a traveler at Sydney international airport after he arrived from Dubai. A 39-year-old Czech man arrived Tuesday May 20, 2014 on a flight from Dubai 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. AP

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

The 39-year-old Czech man arrived Tuesday on a flight from Dubai 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.

The man, whose name has not been released, was to appear in a Sydney court on Wednesday charged under environmental protection laws with attempting to import regulated live specimens without a permit. The charge carries maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a fine of 170,000 Australian dollars ($157,000).