Criminal gangs are smuggling native LIZARDS out of Australia in socks and cereal boxes to China and Russia to be sold as pets for top dollar

  • Criminal gangs are smuggling native lizards out of Australia to Asia and Russia
  • The lizards are being moved in socks, cereal boxes and boxes labelled as toys
  • Reptiles of different breeds are being sold for thousands of dollars
  • Nearly 400 reptiles have been seized by the Australian Border Force this year 

By Paula Ahillon For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Criminal gangs are smuggling native lizards out of Australia in socks and cereal boxes to China and Russia to be sold as pets for thousands of dollars. 

Criminal syndicates which include students operating on behalf of smugglers are disguising the reptiles in boxes labelled as toys and baby merchandise as well as school bags and bags of chips.

Some lizards uncovered by the Australian Border Force 'had legs taped together', according to an ABF intelligence report. 

Criminal gangs are smuggling native lizards out of Australia in socks and cereal boxes to China and Russia, where they are sold as pets for thousands of dollars

Criminal gangs are smuggling native lizards out of Australia in socks and cereal boxes to China and Russia, where they are sold as pets for thousands of dollars

Students are responsible for stealing lizards including geckos, goannas and shinglebacks.  

Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are cited as the main platform for the trade, with the platforms carrying lists of customers' requirements and the hefty costs involved.

Students are responsible for stealing native lizards including geckos, goannas and shinglebacks

Students are responsible for stealing native lizards including geckos, goannas and shinglebacks

Some lizards uncovered by the Australian Border Force 'had legs taped together', according to an ABF intelligence report

Some lizards uncovered by the Australian Border Force 'had legs taped together', according to an ABF intelligence report

The illegal live export of native lizards is growing along with tobacco and drug smuggling due to the lucrative nature of the black market.

At least 20 packages of more than 110 reptiles being illegally exported via postal service have been stopped by the ABF in the last three months, reports News Corp Australia. 

The seized reptiles were posted from Melbourne and Sydney to suspected private zoos and collectors from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Russia.

At least 20 packages of more than 110 reptiles being illegally exported via postal service have been stopped by the ABF in the last three months

At least 20 packages of more than 110 reptiles being illegally exported via postal service have been stopped by the ABF in the last three months

Close to 270 reptiles were seized in Western Australia in the space of a month earlier this year.

'Wildlife smuggling is a lucrative trade and we know individuals and criminal syndicates can make significant profits by exporting and selling Australia's unique native fauna overseas, particularly in Asia,' ABF Acting assistant commissioner Craig Palmer told News Corp Australia. 

Under Australian law, wildlife trade offences can incur a maximum of ten years imprisonment and a fine of up to $210,000 for individuals.

Nearly 400 reptiles were found to be illegally exported and were seized by authorities this year

Nearly 400 reptiles were found to be illegally exported and were seized by authorities this year

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