Australian Police Seize Alleged Smuggled Lizards Valued at $800,000

Australian police have disrupted a suspected smuggling operation aimed at exporting native lizards and reptiles worth over 1.2 million Australian dollars ($800,000) to Hong Kong. In Sydney, three men aged 54, 59 and 31, as well as a 41-year-old woman, were apprehended in connection to the investigation, according to a statement released by New South Wales Police on Monday.

The lizards were worth an average of 5,000 Australian dollars ($3,350) each.

Handout/NSW Police

The operation began in September 2023, when nine packages containing 59 live lizards were stopped en route to Hong Kong.

All four suspected members of the group are scheduled to appear in court in January.

A suspect is taken into custody in Sydney.

Handout/NSW Police

The criminal group is accused of capturing live lizards and other native Australian reptiles for profit in Hong Kong, according to the police statement. The animals were found to be kept in inadequate conditions and confined to small containers before being shipped.

During the investigation, police discovered a total of 257 lizards and three snakes in packages and addresses associated with the group. The reptiles were subsequently taken to various zoos and wildlife parks for veterinary examination before being released back into the wild.

Authorities in Sri Lanka have seized 200 live scorpions from a Chinese man as he attempted to smuggle them out of the country at Colombo Airport.

Handout/Sri Lanka Customs

A Chinese traveler was caught trying to smuggle 200 live scorpions out of Sri Lanka

Police estimated the value of the lizards to be around 5,000 Australian dollars ($3,350) each, totaling approximately 1.285 million Australian dollars ($860,000).

Although the police did not disclose the reasons for the alleged smuggling of the lizards, Hong Kong is widely known as a center for illegal wildlife trade due to its bustling port and role as a gateway into mainland China.

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Hong Kong, exotic pets are gaining popularity in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. The charity's website states that rare species of turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, parrots, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, scorpions, and many other animals are being traded as pets.