Reptile dealer’s pleads not guilty over alleged $1.2 million plot

The 60-year-old is set to go to trial over allegations he hid hundreds of lizards in handbags, cereal boxes and chip packets.

Neil Andrew Simpson will fight the charges against him. Picture: Supplied

EXCLUSIVE
The alleged ringleader of a $1.2 million reptile ring is set to fight claims he organised native animals to be packaged in chip packets, handbags and cereal containers in a plan to ship them to Hong Kong.

Neil Andrew Simpson, 60, entered not guilty pleas in the NSW District Court on Tuesday to 24 separate charges after police intercepted several packages containing live animals from Sydney to Hong Kong last year.

Neil Andrew Simpson has been charged by police. Picture: AAP

Neil Andrew Simpson. Picture: Supplied

Police allege Mr Simpson was the head of a “large-scale” operation which involved taking the animals from their native habitats across Australia.

Four people – including Mr Simpson – were arrested by police in relation to the operation in January.

Detectives seized 257 lizards during raids and package intercepts worth an estimated $1.2 million on the international black market.

Police seized hundreds of reptiles allegedly relating to the operation. Picture: NSW Police

A total 257 lizards were seized. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege the animals were kept in “poor conditions” with some wrapped in chip packets, handbags and cereal containers.

He also faces several allegations of exporting and importing live animals from 2020, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Police said they released the animals back into the wild. Picture: NSW Police

The reptiles were being sold on the black market police will allege. Picture: NSW Police

Police said the seized animals were taken to various zoos and wildlife parks for examination before being released. Picture: NSW Police

Police said live snakes and eggs were also found in the search. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Simpson’s case will be back in court on Friday, with a judge set to determine whether both the 2020 and 2023 allegations will be heard in a single trial.

He is facing two counts of dealing in or attempting to deal in a protected animal, three counts of taking nuclear action likely to impact the environment, and three counts of importing a regulated live specimen.

He is also charged with eight counts of aid, abet, counsel or procure the exportation of a regulated native specimen and ten counts of attempting to export a regulated native specimen without a permit or exemption.