Two Danish Nationals Deported Over Alleged Wildlife Smuggling Plot

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers cancelled the visas of two Danish nationals at Perth Airport on 20 September 2026 after discovering evidence that they planned to capture and smuggle native reptiles out of Australia for profit.

The men arrived on a flight from Doha as part of a three-person traveling party on tourist visas. ABF officers selected them for baggage examinations and formal interviews. During the search, officers found snake-capturing tools, a guide on Australian snakes marked with tabs on specific python species, and mobile phone messages discussing the capture and transport of reptiles back to Denmark.

According to the ABF, one of the men admitted during interviews that he bred reptiles for sale in Denmark, though he claimed he was visiting Australia solely to photograph native snakes.

The equipment was seized, and the visas of two of the travelers were cancelled under section 116(1)(g) of the Migration Act. Both men were subsequently removed from Australia and face an exclusion period of up to three years before they can apply for a new visa.

ABF Acting Superintendent Dean Simpson stated that the agency plays an essential role in intercepting the illegal wildlife trade across air travel, sea cargo, and international mail. Simpson noted that wildlife smuggling is a major transnational organised criminal activity that results in the cruel treatment and death of many animals.

The ABF stated that members of the public with information regarding the illegal import or export of wildlife can contact Border Watch.

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