Singapore immigration authorities had prevented an attempt to smuggle four kittens into the city packed down a man’s trousers after hearing meows coming from the suspect’s crotch.
Authorities praised their formidable officers in a statement for stopping the impossible attempt to transport the animals in a car through a border checkpoint with neighbouring Malaysia.
An immigration authority spokeswoman while speaking to the AFP said: “Our officers were checking the travellers in the car, they heard a meowing and saw the bulge in the man’s pants.”
She said that hiding items, such as contraband cigarettes, under clothing, is a common method of smuggling, “but to stuff four live kittens into one’s trousers, this is the first time we’ve seen it.”
Before discovering the live kittens secreted in his trousers, the officers asked the 45-year-old Singaporean man whether he had anything to declare.
Though it could have been brought to sell on as a pet it is still not clear why the man was trying to bring the kittens into Singapore on January 2. The alleged smuggler faces up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of Sg$10,000 ($7,300) if he is found guilty.
Immigration authorities warn that animals smuggled into Singapore may be carrying diseases, such as rabies and those wishing to bring cats into the country legally Singapore imposes strict requirements which include obtaining an import licence and health certificate.