Sunshine Coast turtle and snake smuggler convicted but avoids jail
A Queensland man involved in an illegal wildlife smuggling ring has been convicted in a Sunshine Coast court.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said Sunshine Coast man Jesse Sayeg, 33, first came to the attention of authorities after Victorian Australian Border Force officers intercepted a package from the Philippines in March 2023.
The package had been declared as toys but officers had noticed a smell coming off it.
An X-ray revealed a variety of reptiles and spiders, and once it was opened it was confirmed to contain three snakes, six iguanas, three soft shell turtles and three tarantulas.
DAFF's first assistant secretary of compliance and enforcement Anna Brezzo said the animals had been concealed in drawstring calico bags.
Many of them were dead.
The package was also later found to have been addressed to a fake name.
The discovery triggered a two-year investigation, Operation Cascade, which involved federal and state agencies.
Ms Brezzo said it spanned three jurisdictions — Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
Search warrants uncovered an additional two hog nose snakes, 45 tarantulas, three eco-skeleton spiders, two scorpions, an African hedgehog and an alligator snapping turtle.
Investigations are ongoing, and Ms Brezzo was unable to provide details around how many people authorities suspect to be involved.
"There are a number, and certainly this individual [Sayeg] was a primary player," she said.
The Caloundra Magistrates Court on Tuesday sentenced Sayeg to nine months in prison.
He was convicted on two charges relating to importing conditionally non-prohibited goods.
Sayeg was also charged with producing documents known to be false or misleading.Breaching Australia's biosecurity laws can carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $1,650,000 for an individual or $8,250,000 for a company.
"We were really pleased that the court determined that a term of imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty given the seriousness of the offending," Ms Brazzo said.
The court released Sayeg on a recognisance release order, which means he will not serve time behind bars.
Ms Brezso said authorities were concerned by their findings so far.
"The illegal wildlife trade is now the fourth-largest illicit transnational activity in the world after arms, drugs and human trafficking," she said.
"It's often exploited by organised crime for financial gain, resulting in flow on effects across crime.
She said all breaches of biosecurity laws were taken seriously.
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