An illegal reptile smuggling ring has been uncovered, and suppressed, with Victorian man Craig James Pender fined $2000 after being caught importing and exporting exotic reptiles, the Department of Agriculture said.
"Mr Pender’s irresponsible actions placed our national wildlife, environment and industries at great risk," Acting head of compliance at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Robyn Cleland said.
It came after a joint investigation with the state and federal agriculture departments which resulted in a search warrant executed on the man's property.
“Three illegally imported hog-nosed snakes were discovered [and] Investigators linked Mr Pender to the further illegal importation of four green tree pythons in 2009,” Dr Cleland said.
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The investigation has also identified links between Mr Pender and a person of interest in Norway named Bard Alexander Meringen.
Mr Meringen was arrested in Norway for wildlife crimes with more than two hundred live reptiles seized at his residence.
Dr Cleland warned that the department was always on the lookout for deliberate attempts to "undermine and circumvent our biosecurity system".
“While the majority of people using our mail centres and ports try to comply, we pursue those individuals who deliberately do the wrong thing to the full extent of the law,” she said.
