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Environment Institute Member and Wildlife Crime Research Hub Director Professor Phill Cassey has commented on the illegal smuggling of reptiles occurring in Australia. In a recently published article for The Daily Telegraph, Phill provided his expert knowledge to the offences.

In this investigative piece, The Daily Telegraph forged false details in an application to show how easy it was to obtain a reptile keeper’s license and within minutes they were approved. The Daily Telegraph did inform the department of what had happened, with them in turn cancelling the license, but also explaining the offence can lead to penalties of up to $1,650,000. However, this would not have been detected unless the Daily Telegraph informed them.

Professor Cassey has said “We are seeing an increase in illegal smuggling of reptiles from Australia to Hong Kong, which is really only a transit point for places such as Europe and America.’’. The exporting of reptiles and other Australian wildlife is an offence under our with criminals facing up to 10 years in jail and fines of up to $311,000, or both in some instances. Wildlife trafficking is valued at $30 billion each year in East Asia and Pacific regions, with Professor Cassey saying “There are some people operating small syndicates, but there is also an organised crime element as well. Illegal wildlife smuggling ranks only behind drugs, weapons and human trafficking, which is an indication how profitable it can be’’.

landed a Queensland student in prison for 18 months. She was convicted of seven charges trying to send native Australian wildlife by post to China. The estimated value of the 15 lizards was around $74,000. Professor Cassey says, “A reptile bought here can regularly get 10 times its value on the black market overseas - and often more.”.

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Professor Cassey was also featured in ,��,��,����.