In a police raid in Australia, hundreds of lizards were seized.
Authorities claim to have "dismantled" a criminal organization that had intended to transport hundreds of native lizards from Australia to Hong Kong illegally.
Authorities have successfully dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in the illegal export of hundreds of native lizards from Australia to Hong Kong, with an estimated market value of A$1.2 million (£633,000; $805,000), according to New South Wales Police.
Following the interception of 59 live lizards in nine small containers destined for Hong Kong in September, police initiated a task force to investigate the alleged smugglers. Three men and a woman have been arrested in Sydney in connection with the syndicate.
The seized reptiles, consisting of 257 lizards and three snakes, were reportedly kept in poor conditions. However, they have since been treated and released back into their natural habitat.
In recent weeks, police conducted raids in New South Wales, uncovering illicit activities. In one Sydney residence, 118 lizards, three snakes, eight eggs, and 25 deceased lizards were seized. A rural property in Grenfell revealed four lizards concealed in bags.
The four suspects, aged between 31 and 59, face charges such as exporting native reptiles, dealing with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. Convictions could result in a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Two of the individuals were denied bail after appearing in court over the weekend.
Hong Kong has become a major player in the global trade of exotic animals in recent decades, dominating the market, as highlighted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). A study from the ADM Capital Foundation in 2021 revealed that over five years, the city imported four million live animals from at least 84 countries.
