Concreter Shayne William Goldsmith faces Ballarat court over involvement in reptile black market

A concreter who owned a pair of South American boa constrictors has been unmasked as a kingpin of the black market reptile market.

Concreter Shayne William Goldsmith leaves Ballarat Magistrates' Cour after being sentenced for owning pest animals.

A west Victorian concreter kept a pair of South American boa constrictors at his home and a saltwater crocodile in his freezer while he traded in restricted animals.

Enfield man Shayne William Goldsmith, 34, faced Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over his ownership of pest animals and involvement in a black market for trading native wildlife and invasive species.

The court heard Goldsmith was the creator and member of a Facebook chat called ‘Rep Kings’ – short for Reptile Kings – that promoted the possession and sale of wildlife, including exotic animals and non-native fish.

In one instance, Goldsmith offered to swap two American ball pythons for another animal, and at one point quoted prices for snakes, such as $1500 for an African male hognose.

“Cheap for multiple of course,” he said.

Goldsmith kept two boa constrictors in his home. Picture: File

In March 2024, two live South American boa constrictors – one 2.6m and the other 1.9m – were found in enclosures in a spare bedroom cupboard at Goldsmith’s house.

DEECA prosecutors said there had been 28 separate detections across the country since 2010.

They said they posed a threat to people, native wildlife, and domestic pets if present in the wild.

Goldsmith was also found with two snakehead fish and four alligator gar – both invasive species.

“They just loaded up $20,000 of my fish,” he exclaimed when some of the animals were seized.

The court heard Goldsmith purchased two saltwater crocodiles from another person, and when investigators attended his house in April 2024, they found a boa constrictor, a saltwater crocodile, a freshwater crocodile, a green tree snake, an olive python, and a Darwin python in a freezer.

Goldsmith was found with deceased crocodiles in his freezer. Picture: File

Defence lawyer Benjamin Smith said there was nothing malicious in the actions of his client, who was an “animal lover”.

He said his collection was a “labour of love” and did not generate profit.

Magistrate Ron Saines said Goldsmith was not a “major player” in the black market, but was nevertheless involved in it.

He convicted Goldsmith, who pleaded guilty, and fined him $10,000 plus statutory costs.