Crime syndicates are targeting international students in Queensland to smuggle native wildlife overseas.
Yatian Luo, a student at the University of Queensland, was last month sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for exporting and attempting to export seven blue tongue lizards to Hong Kong following an investigation by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW’s) Environmental Crime section. She has been released on a three-year good behaviour bond.
Luo was recruited via a job advertisement on the Chinese social media website Red Note by smugglers looking for couriers.
Between 15 and 25 October 2024, three packages containing four reptiles were seized after being sent from courier depots and post offices in the Brisbane region.
She packed the lizards in socks, wrapped in foil and placed in vacuum sealed cups, toys or ornaments.
The offender used a combination of fake names, fake licences, cash payments, and public transport to avoid detection. However, due to the concerted efforts of DCCEEW investigators and its partners, the offender was identified within days of the packages being posted.
A DCCEEW spokesperson said they were seeing a growing trend of university students being lured into sending packages of native wildlife overseas, with the promise of an easy buck.
“Since 2023, four international students based in Queensland have been convicted of wildlife crimes.
“Students should be vigilant when looking for work online and be aware of the risks of getting involved with the crime syndicates driving this cruel trade.”
Environment regulatory agencies like DCCEEW and the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation work collaboratively in the joint fight against wildlife crime with the assistance of Australia Post, FedEx, UPS, Queensland Police Service and the Wildlife Crime Research Hub at University of Adelaide.
It is an offence under the national environment law to export a regulated native species without a permit.
Each native wildlife offence under the EPBC Act carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 10 years and/or a $330,000 fine for an individual or a $1,565,000 fine for a corporation.
A DETSI spokesperson described the illegal trade of wildlife as “extremely cruel” and encouraged anyone with information to contact the police or call DETSI on 1300 130 372, report to DCCEEW or Crime Stoppers.
