Police seized a large number of reptiles attempting to export illegally to Asia. (New State Police Photo)
A Sydney man and woman have been arrested and prosecuted for allegedly attempting to illegally export reptiles to Asia, the Daily Telegraph reports.
About 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, the two men were arrested after Kentsie Police executed a search warrant for a unit in Knox St, Belmore.
Police officers allegedly found and seized a variety of controlled native reptiles, including only 22 land turtles,40 aquatic turtles,22 frogs,30 snakes,43 lizards, five salamanders, a number of scorpions and 19 reptile eggs, said Paul Albury, chief inspector of Detective Kent.
Police earlier said a 29-year-old woman was arrested and taken to the police station.
A 32-year-old man was also arrested inside the Knox Street unit at around 4:30pm on Thursday before being taken to the Kents police station.
"It`s not uncommon for us to find illegal reptiles when we raided some of the criminals`house," Albury said. But this must be the largest number we`ve ever met. It is also one of the largest (criminal) groups involved in exporting reptiles. "
Police seized a large number of reptiles attempting to export illegally to Asia. (New State Police Photo)
Investigators will point out in court that between November 2018 and January 2020, the 29-year-old woman and 32-year-old man involved attempted to export a total of 45 reptiles to Hong Kong, China and TW, including multiple species such as lizards, tortoises and snakes, with a red-bellied black snake listed. Packages containing reptiles have been sent through different post offices in Sydney.
Police will also say in court that the red-bellied black snake was ready to be shipped to China.
Fortunately, members of the Australian Border Force picked up the package at the Sydney Gateway Facility and the Environment and Energy department.
Police seized a large number of reptiles attempting to export illegally to Asia. (New State Police Photo)
Female suspects are currently charged with 10 counts of attempting to illegally export controlled indigenous species. Suspected men are charged with seven counts of attempting to illegally export controlled indigenous species and arranging the delivery of dangerous goods by mail service.
Bail, which they have all been given strict conditions, will appear before the Burwood Local Court on February 18.
