Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search

Queensland and NSW floods 2022

Visit recovery.gov.au to see what help is available.

Close
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Climate change
    Climate change Driving climate action, science and innovation so we are ready for the future.
    • Climate science and adaptation
    • Australia's climate change strategies
    • Emissions reduction
    • Emissions reporting
    • International commitments
    • Climate Active
    • Climate change publications and data
    • Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts (Emissions Data)
    Stronger action on climate change

    Stronger action on climate change

    See how the Australian Government is committed to taking more ambitious action on climate change.

    Find out more

  • Energy
    Energy Building a secure and sustainable energy system for all Australians.
    • Energy policy in Australia
    • Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council
    • Renewable energy
    • Energy publications
    • energy.gov.au
    • Energy Rating
    • Commercial Building Disclosure Program
    • Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)
    • Your Home
    • Reducing transport emissions
    Photo of commercial laundry focused on a washer and dryer

    Energy Ratings labels

    Helping consumers choose energy-efficient appliances

    Helping consumers choose energy-efficient appliances

  • Environment
    Environment Improving stewardship and sustainable management of Australia’s environment.
    • Bushfire recovery
    • Climate change and the environment
    • Biodiversity
    • EPBC Act
    • Environmental information and data
    • International activities
    • Invasive species
    • Land
    • Marine
    • Partnerships
    • Protection
    • Report a breach of environment law
    • Threatened species & ecological communities
    • Waste and recycling
    • Wildlife trade
    Decorative image

    Read our Nature Positive Plan

    Our plan sets out the Australian Government’s commitment to environmental law reform

    Find out more

  • Water
    Water Improving the sustainable management of Australia’s water supply for industry, the environment and communities.
    • Coal, Coal seam gas (CSG) and water
    • Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
    • Water policy and resources
    • Wetlands
    Water matters

    Water Matters

    Keep up with the latest news on the department's work in managing Australia's water resources.

    Read the latest edition here

  • Parks and heritage
    Parks and heritage Managing Australia’s iconic national parks, historic places and living landscapes.
    • Australian Marine Parks
    • Australian National Botanic Gardens
    • Booderee National Park
    • Kakadu National Park
    • Christmas Island National Park
    • National parks
    • Norfolk Island National Park
    • Heritage
    • Pulu Keeling National Park
    • The Great Barrier Reef
    • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
    The reef

    Great Barrier Reef

    Australia is protecting and conserving this World Heritage Area.

    Find out more

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Climate change
    • Australia's biological resources
    • National Environmental Science Program (NESP)
    • Office of the Science Convenor
    • Australian Biological Resource Study (ABRS)
    • State of the Environment (SoE) reporting
    • Bird and bat banding
    • Supervising Scientist
    Our climate is changing

    Our climate is changing

    Find out more about how climate science helps Australians with the impacts of climate change.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We lead Australia’s response to climate change and sustainable energy use, and protect our environment, heritage and water.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • People and jobs
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    2023-24 May Budget

    2023-24 Budget

    The 2023-24 Budget has been delivered. Find out what's been announced.

    Find out what's been announced

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Wildlife smuggling operation ringleader jailed

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

Wildlife smuggling operation ringleader jailed

  • Media release
  • Compliance
  • EPBC Act
  • Wildlife trade
17 March 2021

An investigation into an illegal wildlife trafficking operation has culminated in the sentencing of its ringleader to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 2 years and 4 months.

The offender, 26-year-old Chek Wei Javill Chin, was sentenced last week at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to 9 charges, including attempting to export regulated native species, exporting regulated native species and aiding and abetting attempts to export native species.

A complex investigation led by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment’s Environmental Crime Investigators and assisted by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and New South Wales Police Force Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor connected Chin to 20 parcels found at post offices in Melbourne and Sydney between December 2017 and August 2018.

The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions following a referral from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

The parcels bound for addresses in Hong Kong contained an array of Australian native species including Shingleback lizards, Blue-tongue lizards, Geckos, Lace Monitors, Pythons and Water Dragons.

All of the reptiles recovered were regulated native species and were bound by sticky tape or socks and concealed in items such as potato chip tubes, toys and other household items.

Chin’s sentencing follows last year’s sentencing of a 35-year-old Malaysian woman to 12 months imprisonment.

The woman was arrested and charged in relation to four of the parcels seized and linked to Chin’s operation.

After serving her sentence she was deported having been found to be an unlawful non-citizen.

Illegal wildlife trafficking has an immeasurable impact on Australia’s diverse biodiversity along with the animals themselves.

The department currently has a further four offenders before the courts for their alleged involvement in wildlife trafficking and remains resolute in its efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trade.

The department works closely with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to identify and present evidence before the courts that reflects the seriousness of the crimes.

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 it is an offence to export a regulated native specimen without a permit.

Each wildlife offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment or a $210,000 fine.

Fast facts:

  • Imported specimens found at the border are also generally considered a biosecurity risk by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and are euthanised.
  • Native specimens seized during attempted export are initially transferred to wildlife carers, zoos or wildlife hospitals.
  • Reporting indicates that criminal syndicates in Australia poach live native reptiles without regard for age, health and weight, and possible impact on habitat and Indigenous artefacts in the collection process.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Contact us

Climate change and energy:

dcceewmedia@industry.gov.au

Environment and water:

media@environment.gov.au

(61 2) 6275 9880

Related

Lizard

Convicted wildlife trafficker deported after serving term of imprisonment

  • Media release
  • Compliance
08 April 2022

Companies to pay $250,000 after clearing protected black cockatoo habitat

  • Media release
  • Compliance
28 January 2022

Charges follow investigation into illegal trade of Australian native lizards

  • Media release
  • Compliance
07 January 2022
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 11 July 2022

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.