Man Caught Smuggling Geckos in His Pants

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

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File this under “bizarre,” “silly,” or “just plain stupid”: A German man, Hans Kurt Kubus, 58, was caught attempting to smuggle 44 lizards out of New Zealand, and will now face roughly three months in jail and pay a $5,000 fine, according to the BBC. Apparently, the man sewed pouches into his underwear for the express purpose of smuggling the reptiles.

The real problem—aside from the obvious: who would smuggle 44 lizards?—is that the reptiles, a mix of geckos and skinks, are endangered species and protected by New Zealand law. The BBC reports that the lizards are profitable as well, selling for as much as $2,000. For his part, Kubus pleaded guilty and said the lizards were for his personal collection, not for sale. (Sure.)

Actually, let me rephrase that: That’s the real problem for the smuggler. The actual real problem is that these are innocent wild creatures that certainly didn’t deserve to be stuffed into someone’s underpants for who-knows how long. New Zealand Department of Conservation prosecutor Mike Bodie called the failed theft “the most serious case of its kind detected in New Zealand for a decade or more.”

I call it a bad idea that will spawn even worse jokes on late night television.

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