Unflinching in their dedication to service of Queen and Country L-R: Constable Lorrena White, Senior Constable Russ White and Sgt Warren Murdock with scrub pythons at Lockhart River
Jeepers creepers what were they thinking?
A day in the life of far northern police is never dull and no truer words were said when local Lockhart River police received information about a vehicle acting suspiciously in their area.
Local police intercepted a 31-year-old Holloways Beach man and a 23-year-old Whiterock man in a utility at about 1pm on Sunday police in Portland Road, Lockhart River.
It will be alleged both men had removed a quantity of reptiles and spiders from the Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park area north of Lockhart River and they were housed in containers in the utility cab and tray, along with a firearm.
One of the non-venomous scrub pythons
Fauna seized included orange naped snakes, stimson pythons, skinks, bandi snake and tarantula like bird spiders.
The 23-year-old Whiterock man and a 31 year old Holloways Beach man were subsequently issued with a Notice to Appear (NTA) for offences under the Nature Conservation Act.
The 23-year-old was also issued with a NTA in relation to the storage of his rifle.
Little skinks included in the seizure
One of the large bird spiders
Lockhart River Police worked with representatives from Cairns CIB and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) to further the investigation.
A representative from DEHP took possession of the animals and provided further advice as to identification.
It will be further alleged, local detectives from Cairns and Smithfield and officers from DEHP seized five reptiles from a Holloways Beach address yesterday morning.
The officers also attended a Whiterock address and seized a quantity of cannabis plants and a hydroponic set up, insecure rifles and an additional 30 reptiles.
Police charged the 23-year-old Whiterock man with one count each of produce dangerous drugs, stealing and fail to secure weapons. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court next month.
Officers from DEHP are continuing their investigation with regard to seized fauna.
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444.
