A couple from Peru were arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport last week after trying to smuggle 440 protected orchids into the country, the Parool reported on Monday.

The 49-year-old man and 37-year-old woman had stuffed the plants into three suitcases and a sports bag. They were apparently on their way from Peru to Germany.

The man has been remanded in custody for two weeks and the woman ordered to appear before magistrates in August.

The orchids have been placed in a special quarantine greenhouse for exotic plants.