Both incidents occurred at the main airport of the Queensland state capital Brisbane. Customs investigations chief Richard Janeczko said in both cases the passenger had just arrived on a flight from Singapore.

A search of an Australian man who flew in late Saturday revealed 19 coloured pythons inside cigarette packets, themselves placed inside rectangular pockets in a special body vest worn under several layers of clothes, Janeczko said.

Earlier on Saturday, another Australian man was stopped with 52 exotic bird eggs in another body vest. Janeczko said apart from conservation concerns the eggs posed a potential risk of transmitting bird flu to Australia.

Both men have been charged with import offences and are due to appear in court in Brisbane on Monday.

Under Australia's environmental protection legislation, such offences can carry penalties of up to 110,000 dollars (77,000 US) in fines plus 10 years in jail.

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