2 Japanese get jail time in Australia for trying to smuggle lizards

The lizards were packed inside netted laundry bags, wrapped in towels and placed inside two plastic containers without food or water. Some have since died while others remain in poor health.

Five months in jail is not enough for these type of hideous crimes, the trade in exotic animals is ruthless and deserves a much harsher punishment.

Speed - Nothing worse than being called a "lizard smuggler!"

Being called a budgie smuggler would be worse.

The reason so many Japanese attempt to smuggle these animals is because the market is so strong in Japan and the returns are huge. There was (maybe still is) an exotic pet shop in Higashi-Nakano Tokyo. I was disgusted to see so many endangered and protected Australian animals in there. They were all ridiculous prices too. There were lizards, snakes, various insects including bush cockroaches, spiders, three different kinds of possums and four or five different kinds of Australian parrots. There are no restrictions on the trade of endangered or protected animals in Japan, regardless of which country they come from. I remember seeing a baby sloth (cuscus), some rare monkeys and squirrels for sale in another pet store. Nothing will change until the Japanese government puts restrictions on the sale of exotic animals and fish but, we all know that will never happen. These fools will keep attempting to smuggle them and continue to get busted.

I also agree the jail sentence is too short. Australia has very strict poaching laws that carry hefty fines and lengthy prison terms. These jokers were lucky to get off so lightly.

Nothing worse than being called a "lizard smuggler!"

Was there ever a time when importing them was legal? If not, then all such in Japan should be illegal, with stiff penalties for owning them outside of zoos.

Good.

Have fun in prison with the locals.

5 years would be more appropriate as 5 months would make other idiots take the chance.

Charge them and imprison them there, please. If they get on a plane to be "tried" here they will simply be welcomed back as victims.

What despicable pieces of low life trash.

Stuff these guys into a 55-gallon drum and make them stay there for 36 hours. Anybody who would treat living things like this deserves to have the same experience. Perhaps the drum could be sent over Jim Jim Falls for good measure.

Correction - $100,000. But anyway, it’s at the cost of our dead wildlife also.

they will simply be welcomed back as victims.

Why do you say Japan would treat Japanese citizens who committed crimes abroad as victims ?

Because Japanese nationals believe that if something is acceptable in Japan, it is acceptable in any other country.

This case and other cases have tarnished the reputation of Japanese abroad and will lead to many innocent Japanese being searched.

they will simply be welcomed back as victims.

Why do you say Japan would treat Japanese citizens who committed crimes abroad as victims ?

Now they will have the chance to play the victim when they get back

Same question to you.

Two months jail is not enough! They could have gotten away with making a million dollars - better risk than drugs!!!

They just got lucky and managed to extend their vacations in Australia by 5 months.....

With accommodation and meals...

Omachi - Was there ever a time when importing them was legal? If not, then all such in Japan should be illegal, with stiff penalties for owning them outside of zoos.

Importing them is not illegal, either is selling them. It’s only illegal getting caught bringing them out of their home countries.

"5 years would be more appropriate as 5 months would make other idiots take the chance."

What about a 5 years custodial for trying to smuggle/overstay in Japan?

These are all smuggling cases.

Fair is fair to me