Woman smuggled fish in skirt

An Australian woman was sentenced today after she was caught smuggling 51 live tropical fish, concealed under her skirt.

Sharon Naismith, 45, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court after attempting to import regulated wildlife.

She was sentenced to nine months of community service.



Customs officers searched her on June 3, 2005, after hearing “flipping” noises coming from her waist at Melbourne Airport.

She had just flown in from Singapore.

Custom officers found 15 plastic water-filled bags holding fish, concealed in a custom made apron.

One of the fish, a $30,000 Asian Arowana, was an endangered species, while the others were catfish.