‘Chaotic’: exotic zoo found by police in drug raid

Robyn Wuth and Laine Clark |

Dozens of animals were discovered along with a large hydroponic cannabis setup in northern NSW.
Dozens of animals were discovered along with a large hydroponic cannabis setup in northern NSW.

What started as a drug raid has ended in “chaotic” scenes after officers discovered a makeshift exotic zoo.

“It’s not every day we enter a premises and there’s a saltwater crocodile in the bedroom,” Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy told reporters on Thursday.

The 1.3-metre croc was among dozens of animals found along with a large hydroponic cannabis set-up when officers searched the Collombatti property, in northern NSW.

SNAKES
The arrested man faces a raft of charges, including eight counts of dealing in protected animals. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

Among the exotic haul were 38 snakes, including a deadly cobra, 19 lizards, three hedgehogs and nine cats.

More animals were discovered near the cannabis set-up featuring 52 hydroponic plants, Det Abdy said.

“There was a hydroponic cannabis system set up there, with 28 dogs around that – the scene was chaotic,” he said.

A 39-year-old man was arrested after a white Toyota HiLux was searched on Wednesday as part of a months-long drug operation in the Kempsey region. 

Police later searched the man’s home, where they discovered the cannabis set-up, an illegal weapon hidden in a kitchen and the wide array of deadly and protected animals.

SNAKES
Police searched the man’s home, where they discovered a wide array of protected animals. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

Police had received information that exotic animals had been kept at the property but did not know how many or what type, Det Abdy said.

Overall, they discovered 15 exotic animals from six separate species.

“It appears he may have been involved in selling those exotic animals,” Det Abdy said.

The animals were removed and placed into care during a delicate operation involving police, the RSPCA, Kempsey Shire Council, licensed reptile handlers and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 

Welfare agencies would decide whether the animals needed to be euthanised for biosecurity reasons, Det Alby said.

SNAKES
The exotic haul included a 1.3-metre saltwater crocodile, 38 snakes and 19 lizards. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

Police said they seized the hydroponic plants along with 11kg of cannabis leaf with a street value of $85,000 and the rifle concealed inside the kitchen.

The man faces a raft of charges, including commercial cannabis cultivation and supply. 

He is also charged with eight counts of dealing in protected animals. 

Further charges include possessing multiple illegal firearms and knowingly allowing the premises to be used for drugs.

The man was refused bail and was set to appear at Bail Division Local Court on Thursday. 

AAP