Guards on the border between Egypt and Gaza who pulled up a "suspiciously fat" woman found three crocodiles strapped to the would-be smuggler's waist, The Scotsman reports.

A spokeswoman for the European observers who run the crossing explained: "Even though she was veiled and covered, even with so many clothes on, there was something strange."

The trio of reptiles - each around 20in long and with their jaws tied shut with string - were "probably meant for sale either to Gaza's small zoo or to private owners". The woman was allowed into Gaza minus her illicit cargo, which was "returned to the Egyptian side of the border". ®

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