Man charged after 'confronting' makeshift zoo, drug crops allegedly found in NSW home
Updated . First published at
Police allegedly discovered a "confronting" makeshift zoo before charging a man with cultivating cannabis farming protected and illegal reptiles, including a crocodile and 38 snakes, in the north of NSW.
Detectives first commenced an investigation in November last year into the alleged supply of drugs and possession of firearms near Kempsey.
As part of ongoing investigations, officers stopped and searched a white Toyota Hilux in Kempsey before arresting 39-year-old Brendan White.
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The animals were safely removed and placed into care. NSW Police Force
Shortly after, investigators executed a search warrant at a property in Collombatti.
Detectives allegedly found a large hydroponic cannabis setup, a gun and a makeshift zoo full of dozens of native and exotic reptiles.
Police will allege a 1.3m saltwater crocodile, 38 snakes, including a cobra, 19 lizards, three hedgehogs, 28 dogs, including pit bulls, and nine cats were inside the home.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said it appeared the man may have been involved in the sales of exotic animals.
"It is certainly concerning that our native animals are being exported to other countries and that other exotic animals are exported into this country," he said.
"Exporting native animals risks our ecosystem and our native animals.
"Any sort of importation does go towards facilitating organised crime.
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Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy described the scene as "confronting". Nine
Abdy said the discovery of the exotic animals was not part of the initial investigations at the property, however, police were led to believe there could be an array of exotic animals at the property.
"Exactly what type and how many were unknown," Abdy said.
"There were 15 exotic animals in there from six different species.
"It is actually not uncommon for people involved in organised crime to possess exotic animals.
"It was certainly a confronting scene.
"It's not every day that we do an entry into a premises and there's a 1.5 metre saltwater crocodile in a bedroom.
"You've got a hydroponic cannabis setup there with 28 dogs, essentially guarding that."
"Then a premise full of venomous snakes and a saltwater crocodile."
The animals were safely removed and placed into care with the help of the RSPCA, Kempsey Shire Council, Port Macquarie Zoo and biodiversity regulators from the Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water.
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Investigators also allegedly seized 52 hydroponic cannabis plants, 11kg of cannabis leaf with a street value of $85,000, as well as a rifle that was concealed in the kitchen.
White was taken to Kempsey Police Station, where he was charged with eight counts of dealing or attempting to deal with protected animals and supplying an indictable amount of cannabis.
He was denied bail.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years behind bars.
Police are now working to investigate if others may have been involved and how the exotic animals were acquired.
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