Kriti Mehrotra
As a docuseries delving into the underworld of exotic animal/reptile smuggling through the eyes of dealers, enthusiasts, and federal agents alike, HBO’s ‘Monsters of God’ is an exposé. It tracks the evolution of the industry as it begins in the 1960s, skirts the 1973 Endangered Species Act, and grows into a high-stakes environment involving secret, violent dealings. Among those partaking in them at one point was Raymond “Ray” Van Nostrand, whose love for business and passion for exotic animals changed his entire life in more ways than one.
Ray Van Nostrand Always Had a Flair For Entrepreneurship and Sales
Raymond “Ray” Van Nostrand was just a young boy growing up in New York in the 1940s when he first developed a keen interest in reptiles, just for it to continue expanding over time. In fact, not only did he start collecting them at an early age, but he also learned about them from every potential source – television shows, animal magazines, and public libraries. He thus knew the animals’ scientific names, unique properties, and everything in between by the time he was a teenager, enabling him to start dealing in them while still in high school.
According to Ray’s then girlfriend turned future wife, Elaine Van Nostrand, he loved the art of such reptile deals more than anything else – for him, buying and selling was the real thrill. They tied the knot right after graduating in the mid-1960s, following which they honeymooned in Florida. As per her accounts, she loved it at first, but then all her husband wanted to do was collect snakes from the nearby fields, swamps, and beaches. The couple went on to have 3 children – Raymond Van Nostrand Jr., Michael Van Nostrand, and Alex Van Nostrand.
Ray’s first business was in the Bronx near the local zoo, through which he was able to establish a name for himself in the industry as a dealer. As per records, he started with supplying zoos with local reptiles, but then eventually made the move to smuggling them to provide to both zoos and private parties alike. He admittedly garnered a lot of success in the ensuing few years, resulting in him eventually moving to Hollywood, Florida, with the family to scale the business even further. In the 1980s, he took advantage of the vacuum left in the industry by Tommy Crutchfield and Hank Molt’s arrest and evolved into a big-time smuggler of illegal reptiles into the country.
Ray Van Nostrand Spent Close to 8 Years in Prison
While Ray was highly successful as a dealer and smuggler, things changed in the 1980s as he got involved with drugs and Mario Tabraue, an alleged drug lord with his own exotic animal sanctuary. According to the show, Ray essentially began working for Mario as time passed, and essentially had an office in his home/sanctuary from where they smuggled both drugs and reptiles into Florida before dealing them. Ray had a massive truck that he used around this time, the back of which comprised all the animals as he went from one place to another to deal the, whereas the top had a hidden ceiling for the drugs. He reportedly used and sold a lot of cocaine during those years.
When Ray was eventually arrested on violation of the 1973 Endangered Species Act and drug charges, he knew he could be in trouble. His marriage was already struggling owing to his alleged drug use, and his children were just reaching adulthood – his second eldest was just about to turn 18. Ray wanted to spend as much time with them as possible, so he wanted to minimize his term, resulting in him eventually giving federal authorities a lot of evidence against kingpin Mario. However, despite his cooperation and full admission of his errors, he was convicted and sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Ray Van Nostrand Sadly Passed Away in 2023
After Ray went to prison, his sons decided to keep up his legacy but in a much different manner – they wanted to continue his business of reptile smuggling but remain within all legal bounds. Therefore, Mike established Strictly Reptiles, where he used all his knowledge and accounting background, whereas his elder brother, Ray Jr., handled the operations. They were soon able to expand the business to a national level, evolving into one of the best reptile dealers in the country with their qualities, quantities, and purity in breeding. They truly did everything in their power to remain on the right track.
When Ray was eventually released from prison, he immediately joined Mike’s business, and the latter had prepared for it – he didn’t want it any other way, either. Ray continued to thrive as a salesman in the years to pass, but his need for the thrill remained, resulting in the company moving a few things around. Ray and Mike eventually did start smuggling illegal, highly exotic animals into the country, which they sold, bred, and organized. Both their legal and illegal operations were successful, but Ray Jr. chose to remain away from such illegal activities. In the end, Mike did get in trouble with the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
He agreed to a plea deal to ensure his father was not implicated, and it didn’t affect his growing family in the long run. He managed to get Ray off any additional charges, and took most of the blame on himself since Strictly Business is still his company. Over the years, a book was penned about him, his family, and the family business titled “The Lizard King” by Bryan Christy. He also became a Christian at age 65 and then tied the knot with the woman he believes to be the love of his life, Virginia, in 2011. Not long after, though, in 2015, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia, likely stemming from his diabetes. So, he spent the last few years of his life still dedicating himself to his God and his son’s business. Ray sadly passed away on October 1, 2023, while surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a husband, 3 kids, 6 grandkids, and 2 great grandkids.
You must be logged in to post a comment.