Reece Elson, exotic animals: Man charged over alleged animal trafficking
Police allegedly found exotic animals including fire belly newts, Asian water dragons, turtles and magpies when they raided properties across western Sydney and the Illawarra.
Parramatta
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A man who police allege helped traffic exotic animals into the country allegedly had in his possession fire belly newts from China and Japan, Asian water dragons and an alligator snapping turtle from America among other exotic fauna, according to court documents.
Reece Elson, 28, did not appear at Fairfield Local Court today, where his matter was briefly mentioned.
Police allege the Greystanes man, who is on bail, helped facilitate the illegal trade of Australian native animals and importation of exotic fauna.
He was arrested last month and charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, deal in or attempt to deal in protected animal, possess regulated live specimen from unlawful import and possess non-native CITES/regulated specimen.
A 55-year-old man was also arrested and charged with 72 offences. He remains before the courts.
Police allege the man co-ordinated the illegal trade of Australian native animals and illegal importation of exotic fauna, and swindled nearly $1 million through large-scale identity fraud and $50,000 through money laundering offences.
Strike Force Raptor detectives swooped on the pair following a joint investigation with Commonwealth Department of Agricultural, Water and Environment enforcement officers.
Investigators raided six properties in East Hills, Petersham, Greystanes, Riverstone, Whalan and Albion Park Rail in June, and found a number of native and exotic animals including Australian magpies, a death adder, a red-bellied black snake, a Burmese python, lizards and turtles.
Unlawfully kept animals were seized as well as mobile phones, computers and electronic storage devices.
Detectives began investigating alleged money laundering offences linked to the unlawful trafficking of exotic animals and protected Australian fauna last year and allegedly uncovered an international criminal syndicate involved in the illegal trade of native and exotic fauna.
According to court documents, police allege Mr Elson “did deal in protected animals”, including 24 Murray River turtles, 11 Eastern long-necked turtles, 10 saw-shelled turtles, and a freshwater crocodile among others, without a licence.
It is also alleged he possessed “regulated exotic fauna” including 19 fire belly newts from China and Japan, five Asian water dragons and an alligator snapping turtle from America.
Mr Elson’s matter was adjourned to August 21 at Parramatta Local Court.