Two charged, 180 reptiles seized as police bust alleged smuggling ring in Sydney
Police allege dozens of animals — including turtles, frogs and snakes — were destined to be exported to Asia after they busted an alleged reptile smuggling ring in southwest Sydney, which has seen two people arrested.
The Express
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A man and a woman have been arrested and charged for allegedly trying to illegally export reptiles to Asia.
They were arrested after Campsie Police executed a search warrant on a unit on Knox St, Belmore, at 7.40am on Thursday, during their investigation into the alleged attempted export of reptiles to Asia.
Campsie detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury said their officers allegedly located and seized several regulated native reptiles, including 22 tortoises, 40 turtles, 22 frogs, 30 snakes, 43 lizards, five salamanders, scorpions and 19 reptile eggs.
Police said a 29-year-old woman was arrested and taken to the station.
At 4.30pm, a 32-year-old man was also arrested at the unit and taken to Campsie Police Station.
“It is not uncommon for us to find illegal reptiles when we raid some criminal homes but these are certainly the largest numbers I have encountered,” Det Chief Insp Paul Albury told The Express.
“This is also one of the largest syndicates involved (in the export of reptiles).
“The reptiles were found in tanks and plastic containers with the lids on.”
Investigators will allege in court between November 2018 and January 2020, the 29-year-old woman and 32-year-old man attempted to export a total of 45 reptiles to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
These included various species of lizards, turtles and snakes, including a red bellied black snake, sent through parcels from various post offices across Sydney.
Police will allege the red bellied snake was being shipped off to China.
Fortunately, the Australian Border Force officers at the Sydney Gateway Facility intercepted the parcels and notified the Department of Environment and Energy who began investigating it.
The woman was charged with ten counts of attempted illegal export of regulated native specimens.
The man was charged with seven counts of attempted illegal export of regulated native specimens and cause a dangerous article to be carried by a postal service (being the red bellied black snake sent through the post).
Both the man and woman were granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, February 18.