Charges laid after snakes and crystal meth seized from Berala home

A man has been charged and wildlife handlers have been called in after snakes were discovered to be in tiny enclosures and dehydrated in his Berala home.

A man will face court today after police located weapons, prohibited drugs, and reptiles classified as protected at a home in Sydney’s west.

A Sydney man has been accused of keeping protected snakes — including red-bellied blacks and tiger snakes — in enclosures that were too small, too cold and lacking water.

Officers were called to a Berala home in the city’s west on Tuesday afternoon following reports of a domestic violence incident.

When they searched the property, they allegedly found a replica pistol, a slingshot, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and 13 living and deceased native protected reptiles, including the snakes.

The snakes include red-bellied black snakes and a tiger snake.

He was also arrested on drug charges.

The snakes were found to have no water and in cold small enclosures.

“Police will allege in court that the reptiles did not have adequate heat or water and were in enclosures that were too small,” the force said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old man was charged with a raft of offences including stalking, possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing prohibited drugs and dealing or attempting to deal in protected animals.

He was ordered to face court Burwood Court on Wednesday while wildlife handlers rescued the snakes.