Van Ho Le pleads guilty to smuggling expensive fully red Asian Arowana fish into Adelaide
A Vietnamese man has admitted to smuggling into Adelaide a rare exotic fish — rumoured to fetch up to $430,000 in China — in a bag around his neck.
A Vietnamese national has admitted smuggling one of the world’s most expensive aquarium fish into Australia in a bag around his neck, a court has heard.
Van Ho Le, 34, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to one count of importing a specimen in contravention of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and a count of recklessly making a misleading statement.
Prosecutors will allege Le was arrested at Adelaide Airport on April 9 after he allegedly pulled out the bag containing a fully red Asian Arowana during a frisk search. He had just stepped off a flight from Malaysia.
The fish, also known as a dragon fish, had to be euthanised as illegal imports of exotic animals can introduce serious pests and diseases that pose a significant biosecurity risk to Australia.
The court heard the matter would be dealt with summarily, meaning he will be sentenced in the Magistrates Court rather than by a higher court.
Le has previously said he planned to keep the fish “as a pet”.
He had said he “didn’t know nothing” about the endangered species and did not think importing the fish was serious.
He had said he had no plans to sell the fish, which could fetch upwards of $1000 in Australia.
It is illegal to own an Asian Arowana, which can grow up to 90cm long, unless it has been legally imported.
The Asian community believe the fish, which has been rumoured to sell for as much as $430,000 in China, brings good luck and wealth due to its red colour and coin-like scales.
The maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences under Australian law is 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $210,000 for individuals or up to $1,050,000 for corporations.
Le will return to court for a sentencing hearing in September.