ANANOVA (London, UK) 14 April 08 Man cleared of smuggling lizards in false leg

A US man has been acquitted of smuggling iguanas from Fiji in his hollowed-out prosthetic leg.

But Jereme James, 34, was found guilty of concealing and possessing Fiji Island banded iguanas and could still face up to 20 years in prison, reports the LA Times.

The jury in the three-day trial rejected charges that James, from Long Beach, California, stole the lizards on a visit to the South Pacific Island in September 2002.

But prosecutors revealed that during an undercover investigation Mr James had confessed to selling three of the iguanas for £16,000.

Police seized four of the neon green-striped reptiles when they searched his house after obtaining a search warrant last July.

Officials said the iguanas, which are protected by an international treaty, would be entered into a breeding programme in the United States.

James is due back in court in July when he will be sentenced.
Man cleared of smuggling lizards in false leg

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