A man caught in an undercover sting targeting the illegal trade of rare geckos has been jailed for 14 months.

Gunak Lee, 23, from South Korea, travelled to New Zealand in an attempt to purchase 10 prized jewelled geckos worth around £60,650, ready to be smuggled out of the country.

They are only found in New Zealand and classified as an ‘at risk – declining’ species, making this rare reptile highly sought after in illegal international trade, according to the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The creatures can fetch up to €7,000 (£6,115) each in Europe because of their rarity and distinctive features.

Lee was caught trying to smuggle the endangered species by an undercover DOC officer at a hotel in Auckland.

He believed he was purchasing 10 geckos for just a few thousand dollars, but

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