NSW: Very rare python among reptile haul detected at airport
23 Feb 2009 3:18 PM
SYDNEY, Feb 23 AAP - A Sydney man has been charged with attempting to smuggle 44 native lizards and snakes on a flight out of Australia, including a rare albino python.
The haul of reptiles allegedly found in the 24-year-old's luggage at Sydney airport on Friday included 24 shingleback lizards, 16 bluetongue lizards and four snakes.
The snakes have been identified as three black headed pythons and an albino carpet python, an extremely endangered species with numbers estimated to be as low as 100.
The albino python is worth about $20,000, while Customs estimates all the reptiles in the smuggling attempt would fetch between $160,000 and $200,000 on the black market.
They were detected during x-ray screenings of the man's luggage after he checked in for a flight to Bangkok.
The reptiles, hidden in socks and cloth bags, were taken to Sydney Wildlife World, where they have undergone health checks and are being cared for.
The man, from Bonnet Bay, has been granted conditional bail to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on March 24.
He has been charged with attempting to export native species without a permit, which carries a maximum penalty of $110,000 and/or 10 years' jail.
Customs and Border Protection spokesman Richard Janeczko said wildlife smuggling was a serious crime.
"Customs and Border Protection continues to prevent, investigate and prosecute wildlife smuggling attempts into and out of Australia in a bid to end this cruel practice," Mr Janeczko said in a statement on Monday.
