In July 2023, two African pygmy hedgehogs were found at a Richmond property, in Melbourne's inner-city.
Exotic and with the potential to carry harmful diseases, the discovery of the animals was significant in its own right.
But investigators also found digital evidence which helped to uncover a lead to a Victorian broker from whom the hedgehogs had been sourced.
Subsequent investigations uncovered a breeding and smuggling network operating across at least four states and with links to Asia.
Operation Django, a multi-agency force led by Agriculture Victoria, was established to investigate.
As of January, it had led to $117,600 in court fines including a record $54,000 penalty, nine convictions and the identification of hundreds of offences.
Investigations into the network were ongoing and come amid a backdrop of increasingly sophisticated smuggling operations nationwide, Agriculture Victoria's Adam Kay said.
"The trade is getting more sophisticated, it's getting more widespread and the diversity of species is getting greater," the biosecurity manager for high-risk invasive animals told AAP.
"This is not some harmless crime, it's a proper crime and there's a real level of cruelty to it."
The growing challenge has prompted authorities to launch a campaign to raise awareness and seek assistance from the public.
The message of the 'Cage Closed' campaign, led by Crime Stoppers Victoria in partnership with Agriculture Victoria, is simple.
"If you are involved, knowingly or not, now is the time to stop and do the right thing," Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said.
"The law is clear, and the penalties are significant."
Hedgehogs, boa constrictors, ball pythons, tortoises and iguanas are among popular exotic species brought to Australia.
Blue-tongue lizards, native skinks, monitor lizards and dragons are some of the most commonly traded native wildlife.
The animals are often transported and kept in unsafe conditions and can cause serious harm if allowed to escape into the environment.
"Many of these animals are smuggled or bred in cruel and unsafe conditions, with little regard for their health or wellbeing," Mr Kay said.
"When exotic pest animals escape or are released, they can spread disease, harm native wildlife and create long-term environmental damage."
Victorians are urged to report suspected illegal activity and to take an active role in preventing the trade of exotic animals.
"We want to say 'Cage Closed' on the illegal exotic animal trade in Victoria, but we need the community's help to do that," Ms Smith said.
"Do the right thing, surrender any illegal exotic pests and report what you know to Crime Stoppers."
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