Snake stash: Deadly reptiles seized in raid on suburban home

More than 150 snakes and lizards found during a raid on a North Coast house met a grim end amid disease fears, but the “cowboy” owner kept his reptile licence for weeks.

More than 100 snakes — including deadly taipans, browns and red-belly blacks — seized at a residential NSW home have had to be destroyed by National Parks and Wildlife officers.

Rangers and police raided the home at Boambee in Coffs Harbour seven weeks ago, and found the reptiles in clip-lock, pressure-sealed plastic food containers and clothing boxes with ineffective locks, posing a risk they could have escaped.

The snakes — as well as 50 lizards — had to be euthanased because two African ball pythons were found in the collection, meaning the animals posed a biosecurity threat and could not be released into the wild.

Despite housing the deadly snakes in illegal conditions, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water did not suspend the homeowner’s reptile licence for more than six weeks.

The occupant of the property did hold a basic reptile licence, however, was not authorised to hold most of the reptiles found in the home.

Another of the 100-plus reptiles seized near Coffs Harbour. Picture: Supplied

“Everyone knew about the raids that day,’’ said one authorised reptile trader, who did not want to be named.

“They should have suspended his licence that day. I know of plenty of other cases where they cancel licences on the spot for minor infractions, yet this guy had weeks where he was able to go and buy more snakes or lizards – and they will have to be killed too.”

The trader said the reptiles would fetch anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand each, depending on their colouring.

The department refused to answer why the man – known as a “cowboy” in the reptile trading community – was still allowed to trade after the raid on his home, nor if he had acquired any more animals since.

“To afford due process, the individual was issued with a notice of intent to cancel their licence in early September 2024. The licence was subsequently cancelled effective early October 2024,” a department spokesman said.

 “The team seized 167 snakes and lizards found in conditions which were unsuitable for animal welfare, safety and biosecurity reasons.

“This is an incredibly sad outcome which nobody wants to see. It is a stark reminder that only qualified wildlife keepers with appropriate licences and permits should be in possession of native animal.”