A 19-year-old man from Malaysia has been charged with trying to smuggle live native lizards out of Australia.
Australian Border Force and wildlife officers allegedly found geckos, spiders and scorpions at an address in the Perth suburb of Subiaco yesterday.
The wildlife, as well as three digital devices, were seized.
The teenager was consequently arrested and charged with one count of attempted export of a regulated native specimen.
The investigation came after an air cargo company alerted authorities to three lizards found in a consignment labelled “toys” bound for Malaysia in February.
“The lizards were suspected to be destined for sale through the lucrative international wildlife market,” the Australian Border Force alleged.
A public appeal for information led to several credible tip-offs, which Australian Border Force assistant commissioner Chris Waters said helped investigators make the arrest.
“This is an outstanding result, which quite possibly has prevented even more Australian wildlife being sent overseas for profit – a practice which is not only cruel but many of the animals smuggled this way sadly don’t survive the journey,” he said.
Anyone with information about the import and export of wildlife can contact Border Watch here or email the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on wildlife.protection@dbca.wa.gov.au
