| Wriggling post filled with baby crocs |
More than 70 rare reptiles, including snakes and baby crocodiles, destined for New South Wales have been discovered at two Kimberley post offices.
In an operation led by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and assisted by WA Police, three men aged 16, 22 and 23 were apprehended last Thursday.
An officer at Australia Post noticed a package moving and heard scratching noises from inside on January 31 and alerted the authorities.
Broome police Senior Sergeant Julie Foley said after inquiries and examination of CCTV footage, three people and a vehicle were identified as suspicious.
A vehicle was spotted by Broome police and apprehended, with DPaW attending the scene last Thursday.
A 30cm freshwater crocodile, 1.5m king brown snake, skinks and spiders in calico bags and plastic containers were seized, as were cameras and other implements.
DPaW wildlife officer Peter Carstairs confirmed some of the animals died as a result of mistreatment.
"Some of the animals died in captivity and as a result of being posted, with the enclosures they were sent in very poorly ventilated, causing the animals to die in transit," he said.
He also confirmed that DPaW's investigations had been ongoing for several months, with the individuals in question alleged to have conducted other wildlife-related illegal activities.
Mr Carstairs stated that some of the animals seized, which were all native to the Kimberley and Pilbara, could be worth up to $3000 on the black market, while jail sentences and fines of up to $5000 were commonplace for perpetrators of animal cruelty.
"The illegal wildlife trade is the third-biggest trade after weapons and drugs, so it high priority for us to apprehend people involved - unfortunately this happens regularly in Western Australia," he said.
Broome police Senior Sergeant Brendon Barwick confirmed that two of the individuals apprehended were from the Eastern States, with the other from WA.
With the investigation continuing, he also confirmed the individuals were not in custody but police would provide DPaW with any additional resources if required.
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