Japanese man charged with lizard smuggling
News On Japan via Herald Sun -- Oct 24
A Japanese man has appeared in a Perth court after allegedly trying to smuggle nine lizards out of Australia. The 36-year-old man was stopped by Customs and Border Protection officers at Perth International Airport on Monday after x-rays revealed lizards in his baggage.
Officers allegedly found nine shingleback skinks in two plastic containers in the man's suitcase.
The man appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court today charged with attempting to export a specimen that is a regulated native specimen, and subjecting a protected species to cruel treatment.
The maximum penalties for both offences are 10 years imprisonment or a fine of $110,000, or both.
The court was told the lizards were collected from City Beach last weekend with the intention of selling them in Japan.
Source: Herald Sun
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