Two men who attempted to smuggle protected reptiles out of the Northern Territory to a “Reptile Kingdom” business on the Gold Coast have been slapped with nearly $40,000 in fines by the courts, but have avoided jail time.

Lucas Cheyne, 39, and Nathan Chetcuti, 23, pleaded guilty to charges in connection to wildlife poaching and smuggling protected species.

The court heard both men had “specialist knowledge” of reptiles and had run a “sophisticated” operation to get the reptiles to Cheyne’s “Reptile Kingdom” business on the Gold Coast, which is currently listed as permanently closed.

The pair were stopped at Avon Downs in July last year by remote police and their vehicle searched, resulting in the confiscation of 77 reptiles, that were being transported without proof of possession, authority and necessary paperwork.

Police officers and rangers from Parks and Wildlife seized the reptiles, including three venomous snakes from their truck and 26 different species of endangered reptiles.

Cheyne had told the court that he did not intend to steal the animals and was proud of the work he had done in the past by educating the public about wildlife and conservation and had a “genuine love of reptiles”.

Judge Thomason Opie said she had been told that Cheyne did not intend to steal for profit but “wanted to keep them as part of your own collection to study”.

The court fined Cheyne $25,000 while Chetcuti was fined $14,000 for his role.

The fines were applauded by the NT’s wildlife rangers.

“This sentencing sends a clear message that wildlife poaching will not be tolerated in the Northern Territory,” said director of Wildlife Operations Kristen Hay.

“We hope this sentencing acts as a deterrent for anyone trying to poach our precious wildlife. We are the voice of protection for our wildlife as they can’t speak for themselves.”

Anyone found guilty of illegally interfering with protected wildlife can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined up to $78,500.