BULGES IN SMUGGLER’S PANTS TURNED OUT TO BE 2 OTTERS AND A PRAIRIE DOG
I remember meeting the friend of a cousin who had an illicit pet: some kind of flying squirrel. I was in Texas at the time, and don’t remember if this exotic pet was legal there or not. But I do remember that it’s not (and wasn’t) legal to own one in most U.S. states. But Americans aren’t the only market for exotic and illicit (illegal) pets or animals. It’s a worldwide trade, with plenty of demand. And that’s the only explanation for why a smuggler would try to sneak 2 otters and a prairie dog in his pants thru Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Read More: Giant Invasive Lizards On the Loose in South Carolina
THE 2 OTTERS AND PRAIRIE DOG WERE STUFFED INTO PANTYHOSE AND TIED TO HIS WAIST
And the story doesn’t get less ridiculous than those opening facts. It seems that customs officials at the airport grew somewhat suspicious when they saw the erstwhile 22-year-old smuggler walking through an X-ray machine at the usual sort of security checkpoint. Evidently, they thought his behavior was a bit odd. Oh, and there were the easily visible bulges under his pants. I can only imagine how challenging it must have been to walk normally with 2 otters and a prairie dog stuffed into pantyhose and tied around my waist. But fortunately for me, my curiosity will remain satisfied if unrequited. Because the answer seems pretty obvious: very challenging.
Related:
Cutest Animal in the World, “Magic Rabbit,” Reappears After 20 Years Unseen
EXOTIC ANIMALS LIKE THESE 2 OTTERS AND A PRAIRIE DOG CLEARLY HAVE A MARKET
But regardless, customs officials weren’t slow on the uptake on this situation and searched the man (I can only hope they didn’t pat him down first and agitate the animals even more). The noticeable bulges turned out to be struggling animals in the man’s pants. But seriously, can you imagine seeing this in the security line? Customs officials pulling out 2 otters and a prairie dog from somenone’s pants? The are-you-happy-to-see-me-or-are-those-3-animals-in-your-pants smuggler now faces charges associated with trafficking in prohibited goods, removing protected wildlife from their natural habitat, and attempting to export wildlife without a proper license.
