( CNN ) -- Customs officials in Australia have cried fowl after searching a airline traveler -- and allegedly finding two live pigeons stuffed in his tights . Customs officials in Australia allege that a man tried to smuggle pigeons hidden in his tights . The 23-year-old man was stopped at Melbourne International Airport Sunday after arriving on a flight from Dubai , Australia 's Customs and Border Protection service said in a statement posted on its Web site . The service alleges that two eggs were found inside a multivitamin container carried by the passenger , who comes from Melbourne . A further search revealed that he was wearing tights -- with a live bird stashed down each leg . Photographs show the birds appear to have been rolled in newspaper and polythene with only their heads showing . The images indicate that one bird was attached to each of the alleged smuggler 's lower legs . Customs officials also claim that plant seeds were found in the man 's moneybelt and undeclared eggplant in his baggage . `` Wildlife smuggling is not only cruel to the animals involved , it poses a severe risk to the Australian environment and the health of the Australian community , '' said Richard Janeczko , Customs and Border Protection National Manager Investigations . `` It is important that people declare all animal and plant materials to Customs and Border Protection when they enter Australia , '' Janeczko added . The service said that the maximum penalty for wildlife smuggling is 10 years imprisonment and/or a A $ 110,000 ( $ 70,000 ) fine .
Customs officers stopped 23-year-old man as he returned from Dubai . Photographs show live birds were rolled in newspaper and polythene . Maximum penalty for wildlife smuggling is 10 years jail and/or $ 70,000 fine .