Noah Ebert, a Victoria resident, received a four-month prison sentence. He was convicted for attempting to smuggle exotic animals, pythons, iguanas, and tarantulas, into Australia. On 16 July, the Frankston Magistrates Court found him guilty of trying to import 14 animals from the Philippines. These included albino softshell turtles, ball pythons, Burmese pythons, iguanas, and tarantulas between August 2022 and August 2023.
As part of his sentence, Ebert has been released on his own recognisance, conditional upon 18 months of good behaviour and a bond of $1000. The charges against him were brought under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Criminal Code Act 1995. According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the initial detection of the animal trafficking occurred during an inspection of an air cargo shipment, which emitted a strong unpleasant odour, leading to the interception of parcels containing concealed animals and the subsequent discovery of Ebert’s involvement in a larger network engaged in the importation and distribution of exotic wildlife.
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The discovery prompted the department to initiate Operation Cascade, a counter-network operation aimed at disrupting and dismantling the group, gathering intelligence, and supporting future enforcement actions. In collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, as well as other federal and state agencies across Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, investigators compiled evidence that led to the prosecution of multiple offenders, including Jesse Sayeg, who was convicted and sentenced in 2025 for animal trafficking offences, while other individuals connected to the network have been convicted under state laws.
The department has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with partner agencies to conduct intelligence-led investigations and coordinated enforcement actions aimed at disrupting criminal networks involved in the illegal importation and distribution of exotic animals. “We have the capability and commitment to detect, investigate and take enforcement action against those who deliberately attempt to circumvent Australia’s biosecurity laws.”
