A man has been charged $6,000 in fines for trying to smuggle baby lizards into Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says Gregory Anderson tried to smuggle six infant lizards through the Abbotsford-Huntingdon border crossing on Oct. 14.
Anderson was hiding the lizards in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt when they were discovered by border officers. He had previously failed to declare the lizards.
He was charged under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Customs Act and plead guilty to both charges.
$5,000 of the fine will be paid to the Environmental Damages Fund.
“Our border services officers work diligently to intercept the illegal importation of restricted and prohibited goods including endangered species,” said Harald Wuigk, assistant director of the CBSA’s criminal investigations section. “This seizure also highlights the important partnership between the CBSA and Environment and Climate Change Canada in protecting our ecosystems.”
Between 2011 and 2016, CBSA made 42 animal seizures at the Abbotsford-Hungtingdon border crossing.