Qld man fined over illegal snakes

A Gold Coast man caught with two illegal American corn snakes at his home has been fined.

Police discovered the reptiles, which are classed as a pest, during a raid of the Helensvale home earlier this month.

Warren Arthur Hepburn, 38, plead guilty to possessing the snakes at Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Hepburn was fined $1000 for the offence, as well as a further $1000 after pleading guilty to other charges from the raid including obstructing a police officer and drug paraphernalia possession charges.

Hepburn was also convicted of possessing explosives after a jar containing 38 firecrackers was discovered.

Police say they discovered a large quantity of methylamphetamine at Hepburn's home as well as cash.

The court heard he had got into a scuffle with an officer when police saw him attempting to flush a substance down a toilet during the raid.

Hepburn's lawyer, Chris Hannay, told the court his client was merely disposing of some soap.

Hepburn wept throughout his appearance with a large contingent of his family in the gallery.

He was denied bail after the court heard he was already on bail for drug trafficking and supply offences from an earlier raid.

Hepburn has been remanded in custody and will return to court on March 3.