A woman attempting to enter Shenzhen from Hong Kong stunned customs officials when a routine check revealed she was smuggling live fish hidden under her skirt.
According to reports, the woman appeared unusually nervous while passing through the Luohu border checkpoint, repeatedly fiddling with her phone in an attempt to appear calm. Her long skirt, however, gave away suspicious movements, prompting customs officers to stop and search her.
What they discovered was shocking: hidden beneath her skirt were two plastic bags, red and white, wriggling with life. Inside were 229 live fish, carefully concealed as she tried to sneak them into China. The fish, identified as ornamental platy fish, are prized for their hardiness and algae-eating abilities, often referred to as “cleaning masters” in the aquarium world.
Platy fish are popular ornamental species in Taiwan, where prices range from NT$300 to NT$1,300 (approximately RM 40 to RM 172) depending on the variety. However, bringing them into mainland China requires customs duties, and smugglers often attempt to bypass taxes for high profits, even resorting to bizarre smuggling methods.
Authorities have previously intercepted other unusual smuggling attempts at Luohu, including a case where three men tried to smuggle 236 aggressive and endangered alligator turtles, hiding them in their clothing. The men were promptly arrested, highlighting the extreme risks some smugglers take to evade the law.
Customs officials continue to warn travelers that attempting to smuggle live animals carries serious legal consequences, and even the most unusual hiding places will not escape detection.
