Man Sentenced for Smuggling Geckos

A 23-year-old South Korean man, Gunak Lee, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for attempting to smuggle ten rare jewelled geckos out of New Zealand. Caught in an undercover operation, Lee believed he was purchasing the geckos for a few thousand dollars, unaware that they are a protected species valued at around £6,650 each. Prosecutors argued the planned smuggling operation warranted a harsher penalty, while Lee’s lawyer claimed he was naive and exploited. The judge noted Lee’s role in a broader operation and indicated he would likely face deportation after his sentence.

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