By Tate Papworth
A Deer Park man has been arrested and charged after authorities swooped on his property early Friday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into an illegal wildlife smuggling ring.
Authorities raided the 35-year-old man’s property in relation to two lizards being posted to Hong Kong on January 29 this year.
The man was allegedly caught on CCTV in Caroline Springs posting a package that was then intercepted at Melbourne Airport.
The package contained an albino blue tongue and a shingleback lizard taped and stuffed in a sock and put in the bottom of a rice cooker.
Investigators received an anonymous tip last week.
Earlier this month another man, a 27-year-old from Chatswood in Sydney, was arrested on 16 charges of attempting to smuggle wildlife out of Victoria and New South Wales to Hong Kong.
More than 150 lizards, with a street value of more than $550,000, were seized between June 2018 and February 2019.
The maximum penalty for taking, disposing of or being in possession of protected wildlife is $39,652 and/or 24 months imprisonment.
Three people are still at large in relation to this wildlife ring. If you have any information contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
