South Korean man jailed for smuggling rare geckos

Friday 5 December 2025 · 5 outlets · 4 reports · updated Sat 6 Dec 2025, 7:33am

In this story Department of Conservation

Gunak Lee, 23, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison at Manukau District Court. He was caught in an October sting involving an undercover Department of Conservation officer at an Auckland hotel while attempting to purchase 10 rare jewelled geckos for export.

How they headlined it

12h

Fri 5:48pm7:28pmSat 7:33am

1. Otago Daily TimesFri 5 Dec 2025, 5:48pm

   Jail after undercover gecko-smuggling sting (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZFri 5 Dec 2025, 5:55pm

   Man jailed following DOC undercover gecko-smuggling sting (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldFri 5 Dec 2025, 7:28pm

   South Korean mule Gunak Lee jailed after Auckland gecko trafficking sting (opens in new tab)

4. Stuff via RNZSat 6 Dec 2025, 7:33am

   South Korean man jailed following DOC undercover gecko-smuggling sting (opens in new tab)

   Also on RNZ (opens in new tab)