SINGAPORE: A Chinese national found herself in a cold-blooded mess after authorities uncovered a bizarre reptile smuggling operation involving nearly 100 native Australian reptiles, many of them discovered squirming inside socks, shoes and household goods bound for Hong Kong.
According to Australian media outlet 9News, Shiyao Wang was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison in Sydney’s Downing Centre District court, to be served by way of an intensive corrections order.
The 27-year-old had hid the reptiles in socks and inside household goods to mail them to Hong Kong.
Investigators first stumbled upon the scaly scheme in November 2024 when eight suspicious parcels were intercepted.
Inside, they found 19 blue-tongued lizards tightly restrained in socks and tucked inside work boots, tackle boxes and cosmetic bags.
These were “cruel and inhumane” packing methods, said environmental crime investigators from Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
But the trail did not stop there. A deeper investigation led to a domestic package containing another 35 reptiles - including more blue-tongued lizards, eastern ranges rock skinks and Cunningham’s skinks.
Cunningham’s skinks are listed as endangered in South Australia, according to the Australian Museum website. It is protected in Australia and cannot be collected from the wild and a permit is required in most states and territories to keep this species in captivity.
During a search of her home, another 40 specimens, including shingleback lizards, were found. This totals to 94 scaly captives.
She was arrested in December 2024 at her home in the Ashfield suburb in Sydney.
A spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said: “This sentence sends a strong message to the community that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated. Anyone found to be attempting to profit from the illegal export of Australia’s wildlife will face serious consequences, including jail time.”
The spokesperson said that Australia’s unique fauna is in huge demand overseas and Australian licensed reptile breeders, pet stores and hobbyists must prevent its native animals from falling into the hands of illegal wildlife trafficking syndicates.
Under Australian laws, exporting Australian wildlife caries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to A$330,000 (S$282,000) or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
