A Grafton man has been charged with allegedly stealing Wagyu cattle semen and embryos from his employer in Grafton.
In 2024, Rural Crime Prevention Team investigators established Strike Force Newbury following allegations of fraud and stolen genetics from a Wagyu cattle farm in Grafton.
Following extensive inquiries, in March 2025, investigators carried out search warrants at properties in Southgate, Elland, Mylneford and Belmore River, where they mustered and checked more than 500 cattle.
During the investigation, police were told a 34-year-old man was requested to sell 200 recipient and empty cattle on behalf of his employer.
Police will allege the man sold 45 fullblood wagyu cows and heifers as part of the sale, contrary to his employer’s direction.
$100,000 of semen
Police further allege the man used a third-party buyer to purchase 114 head of the cattle, including the 45 fullblood cattle, for himself.
The 45 fullblood cattle were purchased at a greatly reduced price compared to their true value. The man allegedly gained a financial advantage of almost $100,000.
Police allege the man stole embryos, semen and cattle from his employer.
During one of the search warrants, police allegedly located and seized a genetic liquid nitrogen storage tank which contained stolen cattle semen, with a total value of $100,000.
Police will further allege, following one of the search warrants at the Belmore River property, the man was required to seek treatment for six ill wagyu bulls by a veterinarian.
False documentation
The man allegedly engaged a veterinarian, a 48-year-old Grafton man, who allegedly produced false documentation of providing care without treating the cattle, with at least two dying from their illness.
A 48-year-old man was arrested at a veterinary clinic in Grafton on Monday, 23 June.
He was taken to Grafton Police Station 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 man was granted conditional bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on Monday, 11 August.
On Tuesday, 24 June, police arrested the 34-year-old man at Grafton Police Station where he was charged with 20 offences:
- · Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception
- · Dishonestly obtain property by deception (two counts)
- · Steal cattle (two counts)
- · Take and use others cattle (three counts)
- · Steal property as clerk/servant (six counts)
- · Commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal
- · Do act intending to pervert the course of justice
- · Fail to comply with mandatory measures (three counts), and
- · Fail to comply with notice under this section
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on Monday 4 August 2025.
Investigations under Strike Force Newbury continue.
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