Point Cook man Yeong Ng pleads guilty to attempting to export dozens of live native lizards

A Point Cook man attempted to smuggle dozens of live native lizards into Hong Kong by cruelly stuffing them inside packages with nothing but toy dinosaurs.

The lizards were discovered inside packages stuffed with toy dinosaurs. Picture: Australian Border Force

A Melbourne man faces jail after attempting to smuggle dozens of live native lizards into Hong Kong by concealing them inside packages stuffed with toy dinosaurs.

Yeong Ng, 27, was paid thousands of dollars to send 38 blue and pink-tongued lizards in the mail so they could be sold to wealthy customers seeking to own “exotic pets”.

The County Court on Monday heard Ng attended post offices in Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing between September and November 2021 where he would cruelly post up to seven lizards in a singular package with no food or water.

He would falsely declare each time that the packages contained “kids toys” or “shoes”.

The lizards were not provided any food or water. Picture: Australian Border Force

Seven of the parcels were intercepted at the Australia Post gateway facility where domestic and international mail is screened, while two parcels – containing six reptiles – were intercepted in Hong Kong.

“The lizards were concealed in black netting material within plastic takeaway containers with holes punched in the lids,” prosecutor Brett Stevens said.

“The package also contained scrunched up newspaper and plastic toy dinosaurs.”

In some instances, the reptiles were concealed in stockings and placed in shoes or boots.

The court heard many of the skinks were found emaciated and stuck in “contorted positions” but luckily, all 38 survived.

Ng, a forklift driver, did not hold a permit or exemption to export the animals legally.

Most of the reptiles were emaciated when discovered by officers. Picture: Australian Border Force

He was arrested in November 2021 and a search warrant was executed at his home.

Seven lizards were seized after being located in suboptimal enclosures.

The Point Cook man stood in the dock on Monday where he pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to export regulated native specimens and two charges of exporting regulated native specimens, among other offences.

However, the court heard the smuggling operation was run by a man called “Johnny” who would supply the lizards to Ng and provide instructions through messaging app WeChat.

He was paid between $5000 to $8000 to do Johnny’s bidding, despite never meeting him.

Some of the lizards were concealed in stockings and placed in shoes or boots. Picture: Australian Border Force

Ng’s defence lawyer Brittany Myers told the court that due to her client’s lack of criminal history and his early guilty plea, he should be sentenced to a community corrections order or a suspended sentence.

But Mr Stevens said he should be sentenced to a term of imprisonment to “deter” members of the community from committing this type of offence.

One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Judge Carolene Gwynn said this case demonstrated how “animals suffer for the financial gain of others”.

“He gave no care or concern for these animals,” she said.

“It was entirely profit motivated.”

Ms Myers told the court Ng questioned whether the animals needed food or water but was told by Johnny they would “be okay for a month” citing hibernation.

She said he had been “suffering nightmares” as a result of his actions.

While the species are not endangered, the court also heard there was a “market” for them in Hong Kong, which is known for its illegal wildlife trade.

“This must be a very lucrative business,” Judge Gwynn remarked.

Ng, who is on bail, will be sentenced at a later date.