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Authorities: Man tied lizards to chest at airport
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-21 14:09

LOS ANGELES: Federal officials say they arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday that 40-year-old Michael Plank of California was returning from Australia when US Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks - another type of lizard - fastened to his body Tuesday.

Plank has been released on $10,000 bond and will be arraigned in federal court on December 21.

Authorities say the lizards' value totals more than $8,500. All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated and Plank did not have a permit for them.