Grafton man allegedly steals cow semen and embryos
Police have charged a man over his alleged theft of cow semen, embryos and dozens of Wagyu cattle from his former employer.
A strike force was formed by NSW Police last year to investigate allegations of 'fraud and stolen genetics' from a cattle farm on the state's north coast.
An extensive search led police to a 34-year-old man who had been requested to sell 200 recipient and empty cattle on behalf of his employer.
Instead, police allege, the man also sold 45 full-blood Wagyu cows and heifers against his employer's wishes.
Further, it is alleged that he used a third-party buyer to purchase the 45 full-blood cattle alongside dozens of other cows for himself.
In his dealings, police allege the man gained almost $100,000 of a financial advantage from the greatly reduced price of the 45 cows.
But it was during a search warrant executed by police that a 'genetic liquid nitrogen storage tank which contained stolen cattle semen' was seized, police said.
The semen was worth $100,000.
NSW Police seized a genetic liquid nitrogen storage tank they say contained stolen cattle semen. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
Further, the man allegedly engaged a 48-year-old Grafton veterinarian after he was asked to get medical help for six sick Wagyu bulls.
The vet allegedly produced false documentation of providing care without treating the cattle, with at least two later dying from their illness.
The 48-year-old man was arrested on Monday and charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, being in charge of an animal fail to provide vet treatment, and do act intending to pervert the course of justice.
The 34-year-old alleged semen thief was arrested on Tuesday and charged with 20 offences.
His charges include two counts of steal cattle, three counts of take and use others cattle, and a charge of commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal.
He was bailed to appear in Grafton Local Court on Monday, August 4, 2025, while the 48-year-old was bailed to appear on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Brendan Kearns
Cadet Journalist
Brendan Kearns is a cadet journalist with News Corp Australia. He has written for The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Geelong Advertiser, CHOICE, Cosmos, and The Citizen. He won Democracy's Watchdogs' Student Award for Investigative Journalism 2024 and hosted the third season of award-winning podcast Uncurated. He studied as Master of Journalism at The University of Melbourne, before that he worked as a video producer and disability worker.
@brendandkearns
Brendan Kearns
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