More than 250 lizards worth around $1.2 million on the black market in Hong Kong have been found during the bust of a crime gang, police say.
A criminal syndicate planning to export over $1 million worth of Australian reptiles to Hong Kong has been busted, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Whyaratta was established in September 2023 with assistance from state and federal departments to investigate illegal native animal and reptile exports.
Officers found 257 lizards during the raids, with the animals released into the wild after checks. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)
Police say that based on an average of $5000 per lizard, the total value of reptiles seized by police is about $1.2 million.
That followed the interception of nine packages containing 59 live lizards on their way to Hong Kong.
Between December 20 and January 5 the strike force executed search warrants and vehicle intercepts in Pendle Hill, Panania and East Hills in Sydney and arrested a woman aged 41 and three men, aged 31, 54 and 59.
Two of the men have been refused bail and the four have been charged with multiple offences.
They include illegally exporting native reptiles, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
Police allege the criminal group were catching live lizards and other native Australian reptiles for export for profit to Hong Kong,
During one of the police searches in East Hills officers found 118 lizards, three snakes, eight eggs and 25 dead lizards.
Police allege the criminal group were catching live lizards and other native Australian reptiles for export for profit to Hong Kong, with the animals bound in small containers to be packaged and sent.
Over the course of the investigation officers located 257 lizards, which were taken to various zoos and wildlife parks for examination by a vet before being released back into the wild.
Police say that based on an average of $5000 per lizard, the total value of reptiles seized by police is about $1.2 million.
