Man charged after native reptiles found in parcel bound for Hong Kong
A Brisbane man has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle 18 live native reptiles out of the country via parcel post.
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A Brisbane man has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle 18 native reptiles out of the country via parcel post.
Federal officers intercepted a package in June bound for Hong Kong and discovered the live reptiles concealed in black work boots.
Environmental crime investigators from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water executed a search warrant at a Calamvale property on July 3 and found two more reptiles at the premises.
The 33-year-old man was taken into custody and charged with two counts of attempting to export regulated Australian native species.
He was released on bail.
He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, July 18.
A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokeswoman said wildlife crime was a key threat to Australia’s native plants and animals.
“Australian native fauna is highly prized in the Hong Kong illicit pet trade market, where specimens attract significantly more than their domestic price,” she said.
“In pursuit of these profits, the criminal syndicates employ concealment methods for exportation that subject the animals to conditions that are stressful, cruel, and often fatal.
“The Australian Government is committed to disrupting and exposing the organised crime syndicates responsible for co-ordinating the exports and imports of live animals and is taking action to dismantle illegal wildlife trafficking networks and remove the financial gains made from this crime.”
The export of native wildlife is prohibited under the EPBC Act without a permit and is an indictable offence, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $330,000 or both.
You can anonymously report a potential breach of Commonwealth environmental law, including suspected wildlife crimes, via the DCCEEW website.
Originally published as Man charged after native reptiles found in parcel bound for Hong Kong
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