A South Korean man has been sent to prison for more than a year after being caught in a sophisticated undercover operation targeting the illegal trade of rare and protected reptiles.
The Undercover Sting Operation
Gunak Lee, a 23-year-old from South Korea, travelled to New Zealand with the intention of purchasing ten jewelled geckos, a species found nowhere else on Earth. The Department of Conservation (DOC) states these creatures are classified as ‘at risk – declining’, making them a prime target for illicit international collectors. Undercover DOC officers arranged a meeting at an Auckland hotel, where Lee believed he was acquiring the geckos for a few thousand dollars.
In reality, the officers provided him with only two of the reptiles. Lee was arrested before he could return to his hotel room to verify the number, and the two geckos were safely recovered. He had planned to fly back to South Korea immediately after the exchange, operating under the mistaken belief that being caught would only result in a fine.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Lee faced the Manukau District Court on Friday, where he was sentenced for buying protected wildlife and possessing a threatened species. Prosecutor Mike Bodie argued the crime was premeditated, stating: ‘This wasn’t spare of the moment; it was clearly a plan.’ He highlighted that the maximum penalty for such offences is two years' imprisonment, a NZ$100,000 fine, or both.
Lee’s defence lawyer, Joon Yi, pleaded for leniency, describing his client as naive and exploited. He noted Lee had even paid for his own hotel without assurance of reimbursement. However, Judge David McNaughton identified Lee as part of a larger commercial smuggling network, stating a principal offender had arranged the operation from a distance to insulate themselves from risk.
The Value and Threat to Jewelled Geckos
The jewelled gecko’s extreme rarity and distinctive appearance drive its high value on the black market. Individual geckos can fetch up to €7,000 (approximately £6,115) each in Europe. The ten geckos Lee sought were valued at around £60,650. This lucrative trade poses a severe threat to the species' survival in its native New Zealand habitat.
Judge McNaughton ultimately sentenced Lee to 14 months in prison and indicated he would likely be deported after serving his sentence. The case underscores the serious consequences of wildlife trafficking and the proactive measures taken by authorities to protect endangered species from international smuggling rings.
