Photo: Australian Addiction Reptiles

Between 13 May 2015 and 2 February 2016, Simpson tried to export 12 pygmy spiny-tailed skinks to South Korea and four eastern shinglebacks to Indonesia; and import 30 various reptiles from Indonesia, including 11 green tree pythons, three emerald tree monitors, six spotted tree monitors and 10 mangrove monitors.

He used Australia Post to send and receive the animals, and would wrap them inside calico bags and then a towel, or inside coffee mugs or plastic bags.

When the 12 pygmy spiny-tailed skinks were returned to Australia from South Korea uncollected, they were detected by a sniffer dog. Examining the parcel, staff from the Department of Agriculture and Water found it contained seven live skinks and five dead ones. A vet euthanised the live lizards due to biosecurity concerns.

The package containing four eastern shinglebacks Simpson tried to send to Indonesia was detected and intercepted by staff at the Sydney Gateway Facility, who suspected it contained reptiles.

Meanwhile Simpson’s attempt to import 30 exotic specimens from Indonesia saw him act as an intermediary. In return for four green pythons and two emerald monitors, he would distribute the other specimens to Australian parties.

On 12 May 2016, Simpson’s residence in Petersham in Sydney was searched and a mobile phone and USB drive were found to have details of people packages had been sent to in Korea and Indonesia.