Almost 200 exotic animals including snakes, lizards and turtles are seized from a home as a couple is charged
- Two people charged with attempting to smuggle animals to Hong Kong
- Investigators allege the pair attempted to smuggle 45 reptiles out of Australia
- If convicted, the pair face 10 years behind bars and a $210,000 fine
Two people have been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle almost 200 native and exotic animals out of Australia.
A 29-year-old woman and a 32-year-old-man were arrested from a Belmore home, in south-west Sydney, on Thursday.
They were charged with 17 offences relating to illegal trafficking of regulated native specimens.
Police found 30 snakes, 43 lizards, 40 turtles, 22 tortoises, 22 frogs, five salamanders and 19 reptile eggs in the home
Investigators allege the pair made multiple attempts to smuggle the animals out of Australia between November 2018 and January 2020.
Investigators believe the pair attempted to smuggle a total of 45 reptiles out of Australia.
Multiple parcels were intercepted at the Sydney Mail Gateway Facility by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers.
The parcels, disguised as containing electronic speakers and toy trucks, actually housed the animals and were headed for Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Investigators allege the pair made multiple attempts to smuggle the animals out of Australia between November 2018 and January 2020
When police executed a search warrant on the home, they found 30 snakes, 43 lizards, 40 turtles, 22 tortoises, 22 frogs, five salamanders and 19 reptile eggs.
If convicted, the pair face 10 years behind bars and a $210,000 fine. That fine increases to $1.05million for corporations.
Both people were granted strict conditional bail.
They will appear in Burwood Local Court on Tuesday February 18.
Investigators believe the pair attempted to smuggle a total of 45 reptiles out of Australia