Man accused of smuggling $235,000 worth of exotic fish in his luggage

A Singaporean man accused of smuggling $235,000 worth of exotic fish into Australia in his luggage has appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Customs officers allegedly found 20 plastic bags containing live and dead endangered fish concealed in the man's luggage when he arrived at the Adelaide Airport on a flight from Singapore on February 2.

Around 26 of the fish were listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Kuok Weai Alex Chang, 44, may plead guilty to importing a protected species at his next hearing in three weeks. He was held in custody because a suitable bail address was unable to be found. His lawyer Jessica Kurtzer said she had contacted Chang's employer in Singapore who was providing him support and was hoping to find a suitable place for him to reside on bail.
The court heard the find sparked an international investigation and the charge against Chang may be amended in light of further evidence. The prosecution told the court it appeared that many of the fish had been micro-chipped, a practice common for rare and exotic species in parts of Asia, but not in Australia. It was alleged a search of two properties linked to Chang in Adelaide resulted in more exotic fish being located, including one Asian Arowana, valued at almost $30,000.
The owner of those properties was arrested and bailed to appear in court at a later date. Australian Customs and Border Protection Service's central regional commander James Watson said illicit wildlife trafficking was a horrible trade, but that working together with partner agencies was the best way to stop it. "These arrests should send a strong message to anyone involved in wildlife smuggling: Customs and Border Protection is serious about working with our law enforcement partners to target you," Mr Watson said.