Japanese man, 45, is charged with attempting to smuggle six bobtail lizards - worth $10,000 each - out of an airport

  • Japanese man, 45, has been caught trying to smuggle out exotic lizards
  • Wrapped in paper towel and tightly packed inside a hessian bag inside a suitcase
  • Reptiles were kept in bags for up to eight days with no food and little water

By Wade Sellers For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:21 EST, 9 November 2018 | Updated: 03:32 EST, 9 November 2018

A Japanese man has been caught attempting to smuggle lizards worth more than $10,000 each out of Australia.

The 45-year-old man was attempting to catch a flight to Hong Kong when he was caught with six bobtail lizards stuffed in his suitcase at Perth Airport on Thursday.

Wrapped in a paper towel and tightly packed inside a hessian bag, the lizards were discovered squished into the corner as the suitcase went through the X-ray machine at security.

It's believed the reptiles were kept in the bags for up to eight days with no food and little water.

A 45-year-old Japanese man was caught with six bobtail lizards (pictured) in his suitcase after his luggage went through security at Perth Airport on Thursday

A 45-year-old Japanese man was caught with six bobtail lizards (pictured) in his suitcase after his luggage went through security at Perth Airport on Thursday

Wrapped in a paper towel and tightly packed inside a hessian bag, it's alleged the reptiles (pictured) were kept in the bags for up to eight days with no food and little water

Wrapped in a paper towel and tightly packed inside a hessian bag, it's alleged the reptiles (pictured) were kept in the bags for up to eight days with no food and little water

Flags were raised after a tip was made by Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife Service, leading to a full bag examination as the man attempted to slip by security undetected.

It is alleged that three of the lizards were taken from Rottnest Island, two from the Perth metropolitan area and one from the Mid West region.

The man has since been charged with attempting to export a regulated native specimen and subjecting the animals to cruel treatment.    

If found guilty, the maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $210,000.

Australian Border Force regional commander for Western Australia Rod O'Donnell said that wildlife smuggling was unfortunately a lucrative trade.

'We know individuals and organised criminal syndicates can make significant profits by exporting and selling Australia's unique native fauna overseas, particularly in Asia,' a statement reads.

An x-ray of the man's suitcase (pictured) shows the lizards cramped  in the top left corner

An x-ray of the man's suitcase (pictured) shows the lizards cramped  in the top left corner

Parks and Wildlife Service wildlife officer Matt Swan said Western Australian reptiles were particularly attractive to buyers on the black market because they were exotic and easy to care for. 

Mr Swan also condemned the smuggling of native wildlife as the reptiles are often kept in small confines for long periods of time without food or water and in extreme climates.    

The lizards had been checked by Perth Zoo vets, and depending on their health, will be released back into the wild.  

The man is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court today. 

The 45-year-old man (pictured) has since been arrested and taken into custody by an ABF investigator

The 45-year-old man (pictured) has since been arrested and taken into custody by an ABF investigator

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Japanese man is charged after attempting to smuggle six bobtails lizards worth $10,000 at airport

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