Australian police crackdown leads to seizure of numerous lizards

Authorities have announced the dismantling of a criminal syndicate involved in the illegal export of native lizards from Australia to Hong Kong. The reptiles, valued at approximately A$1.2 million, were seized by the New South Wales Police, along with three snakes. Three men and a woman were arrested in Sydney in connection with the operation. The animals, which were found in poor conditions, have been treated and released back into the wild. Following the interception of 59 live lizards in small containers en route to Hong Kong, the police established a taskforce to investigate the alleged smugglers. Over the past few weeks, raids have been conducted in New South Wales, resulting in the seizure of a significant number of reptiles. One property in Sydney yielded 118 lizards, three snakes, eight eggs, and 25 dead lizards, while a search in rural Grenfell uncovered four lizards concealed in bags. The four suspects, aged between 31 and 59, have been charged with various offenses, including the exportation of native reptiles, handling proceeds from criminal activities, and participating in a criminal group. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison. Two of the men were denied bail after their court appearances over the weekend. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Hong Kong has become a major player in the global exotic animal trade. A study conducted by the ADM Capital Foundation in 2021 revealed that over a five-year period, the city imported four million live animals from at least 84 countries.