Key Takeaways:
- A 23-year-old South Korean man, Gunak Lee, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for attempting to smuggle rare jewelled geckos out of New Zealand.
- Lee thought he would be paid between NZ$3600 and $4800 for acting as a gecko courier, but was instead caught in a sting operation by the Department of Conservation.
- The jewelled geckos are a protected species, found only in New Zealand, and are highly sought after in illegal international trading.
- The maximum penalty for buying protected wildlife in New Zealand is two years’ jail, or a $100,000 fine, or both.
- Lee’s sentence includes a 14-month prison term, followed by six months of standard conditions after release, and likely deportation.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Gunak Lee, a 23-year-old South Korean man, highlights the severity of wildlife smuggling and the consequences of exploiting protected species. Lee was caught in a sting operation by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in October, after attempting to buy 10 jewelled geckos for US$15,000. The geckos, which are found only in New Zealand, are highly sought after in illegal international trading, particularly in Europe, where they can sell for over €7000 (NZ$14,000).
The Sting Operation
The sting operation was set up by the DOC, with an undercover officer posing as a seller of the jewelled geckos. Lee had arranged to meet the officer at an Auckland hotel, where he agreed to buy the geckos for US$15,000. However, the officer had prepared a bag with only two geckos, and the rest of the containers were empty. Lee was arrested when he returned to his hotel room to check the geckos, and a search warrant was executed, revealing another US$10,000 and containers to transport the geckos out of the country.
The Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution, led by Mike Bodie, argued that Lee’s actions were part of a planned international smuggling operation. Bodie stated that the transaction was clearly premeditated and that Lee was aware of the risks involved. The prosecution also highlighted the importance of protecting wildlife, stating that "wildlife doesn’t have brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers to call the police if something happens." The jewelled geckos are classified as "at risk – declining" and are found in pockets of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
The Defense’s Case
Lee’s lawyer, Joon Yi, argued that his client was naive and had been exploited by others. Yi stated that Lee had been offered the opportunity by a third party, who he thought of as an older brother, and had not been aware of the consequences of his actions. Lee had expected to be paid between NZ$3600 and $4800 for acting as a gecko courier and had thought that he would only be fined if he was stopped at the border.
The Sentence
Judge David McNaughton sentenced Lee to 14 months in prison, starting at a two-year sentence and giving credit for Lee’s guilty plea, his age, and his lack of previous convictions. The judge also imposed standard six-month conditions after release from his prison term and stated that Lee would likely be deported straight away. The sentence reflects the severity of wildlife smuggling and the importance of protecting protected species.
Conclusion
The case of Gunak Lee highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and the consequences of exploiting protected species. The jewelled geckos are a unique and valuable species, found only in New Zealand, and are highly sought after in illegal international trading. The sentence handed down to Lee reflects the severity of wildlife smuggling and serves as a deterrent to others who may be involved in similar activities. The case also highlights the importance of international cooperation in protecting wildlife and preventing the exploitation of protected species.
