Lizard trafficker strapped reptiles to chest

A CALIFORNIAN reptile salesman who attempted to smuggle 15 live Australian lizards into the US by strapping them to his chest should be jailed for 10 months, prosecutors have told an American judge.

Michael Plank, 41, was stopped by US customs officers at Los Angeles international airport moments after he stepped off his United Airlines flight from Sydney on November 17, 2009.

A pat-down search found money belts strapped to Plank's chest "stuffed" with two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks.

Plank entered a guilty plea to a smuggling charge last year and US District Court judge Otis D Wright will sentence him on July 11.

"There is simply no better way to discourage wildlife smugglers than to send out the message that smuggling wildlife will result in prison time," US prosecutors submitted in a filing to the judge yesterday.

Prosecutors labelled Plank's smuggling attempt as "animal cruelty" and asked for a 10 month jail sentence, a $US2000 fine and three years probation.

Australian customs officials estimate the 15 lizards are worth between $20,000 to $25,000.

Plank, owner of US-based Big Game Reptiles, made 12 trips to Australia between November 2006 and November 2009, raising suspicions he had smuggled other Australian animals.

The illegal trafficking of wildlife is estimated to be worth $US20 billion a year and ranks as the fourth most valuable illicit economy in the world behind drugs, arms and human trafficking, prosecutors told the court.

The lizards are being held at San Diego Zoo.
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/lizard-trafficker-strapped-reptiles-to-chest/story-e6frf7jx-1226072847869

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