Man Charged With Smuggling Reptiles

A Mission Viejo man was indicted Wednesday on federal smuggling charges in connection with the arrival of 57 New Caledonia geckos at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.

Adrian Sheldon Cunningham, 43, was charged with smuggling the geckos and denying in a U.S. Customs Service declaration that he was bringing live animals into the country, Assistant U.S. Atty. William Carter said.

The geckos were taken illegally from New Caledonia, a French possession near New Zealand, Carter said. Also, people who bring reptiles into the United States must arrange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to have them inspected, Carter said.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents arrested Cunningham after he arrived on a flight from New Zealand on May 17. Investigators found the geckos hidden in four boxes inside a duffel bag, agent Marie Palladini said. Experts estimated the total value of the animals at $85,000.

New Caledonia geckos grow up to 16 inches long and are the largest species of geckos, Palladini said. They have large eyes, and their body color fluctuates between brown and green. Each animal is worth at least $1,500, she said, to people who buy them as pets or to collect them.

“They’re pretty docile for being caught wild,” Palladini said. But “they can be mean.”

Agents had to separate the male and female geckos to avoid fights among them while U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel cared for them.

Cunningham was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the New Zealand Wildlife Enforcement agency. He drew the attention of New Zealand officials by making several trips between New Zealand and the U.S. during a short period.

Cunningham’s arraignment is set for Monday. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.