A Sydney man received a record eight-year sentence for attempting to mail native lizards and dragons overseas concealed in popcorn bags and biscuit tins.

SYDNEY: A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to smuggle native Australian reptiles overseas by posting them in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins.

Neil Simpson, 61, was given a non-parole period of five years and four months by a Sydney district court.

Federal environment officials confirmed the eight-year term is a record sentence for wildlife smuggling in Australia.

Investigators intercepted 15 parcels between 2018 and 2023 destined for Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Romania.

They recovered 101 reptiles, including shingleback lizards, blue-tongue lizards, bearded dragons and pygmy spiny-tailed skinks.

“Lizards, skinks and dragons were secured in calico bags,” officials stated.

“These bags were concealed in bags of popcorn, biscuit tins and a women’s handbag and placed inside cardboard boxes.”

Authorities identified Simpson after he attempted to recruit others to post the animals on his behalf.

Three other people were also convicted for their roles in the smuggling operation.

The New South Wales environment department emphasised the serious impact of such crimes.

“The illegal wildlife trade is not a victimless crime,” it said, noting it harms conservation efforts.

This trade strips the state “and Australia of its unique biodiversity”, the department added.

 The Sun Malaysia