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Pinched

Live crabs found in woman's case at Belfast airport

Five live crustaceans seized after they were wrapped in black bags and tea towels and concealed in luggage by a woman flying from China.

A CHINESE WOMAN was stopped by customs officers in Belfast International Airport after the discovery of five live crabs in her suitcase .

The crabs could not be saved as they were in very poor health when customs officials discovered them individually wrapped in tea towels and black bags. The woman had concealed the crabs among personal items in her suitcase.

The luggage was placed in the hold of the aircraft for the duration of a flight from China, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

UK Border Agency Assistant Director for Northern Ireland, Maggie Eyden, said that live animals are among the goods completely banned from entering the UK.

Travellers should be aware that if such items are found by our officers they will be seized and people could face substantial fines.