Two men convicted for illegal fish imports

The discovery of live fish in baggage at Adelaide Airport has led to two men being convicted for illegal fish importing.

South Australian business owner Huy Truong was convicted for hiring convicted fish importer Kwok Weai Alex Chang to smuggle 176 exotic fish across the Australian border in February 2015.

Australian Border Force (ABF) Commander Rachel Houghton said that the conviction was a result of a joint investigation between the ABF, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

“ABF staff discovered live fish worth $235,000 in Chang’s baggage at Adelaide Airport on 2 February 2015 and this triggered a wider investigation to find Truong,” Commander Houghton said.

“Truong has been sentenced to nearly three years’ imprisonment and released on a two-year good behaviour bond, while Chang received almost three years in prison when he was sentenced last year.”

Commander Houghton said the action taken by the ABF to combat the international trade in rare animals would protect our delicate natural wildlife from the devastating impact of foreign diseases and predators.

“Illegal importers don’t think of the animal’s safety and wellbeing during transport — in this case, a large number of the fish did not survive the journey.”