A New York man has admitted to a wildlife smuggling plot, attempting to send hundreds of protected turtles worth over $1 million to Hong Kong in boxes labelled “plastic animal toys.”
Wei Qiang Lin, a Chinese national based in Brooklyn, admitted in federal court on Monday to attempting to ship over 220 parcels containing about 850 eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, the US justice department said., as cited by AP
Prosecutors said the turtles, with an estimated market value of $1.4 million, were discovered during a border inspection. Officers found them bound and taped inside knotted socks and hidden within the shipping boxes.
Eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, known for their colourful markings, are a “prized feature” in the domestic and foreign pet market, especially in China and Hong Kong, prosecutors noted.
The species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Authorities revealed that Lin had shipped 11 other parcels containing reptiles, including venomous snakes.
He is due to be sentenced on 23 December and could face up to five years in prison.
Wei Qiang Lin, a Chinese national based in Brooklyn, admitted in federal court on Monday to attempting to ship over 220 parcels containing about 850 eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, the US justice department said., as cited by AP
Prosecutors said the turtles, with an estimated market value of $1.4 million, were discovered during a border inspection. Officers found them bound and taped inside knotted socks and hidden within the shipping boxes.
Eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, known for their colourful markings, are a “prized feature” in the domestic and foreign pet market, especially in China and Hong Kong, prosecutors noted.
The species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Authorities revealed that Lin had shipped 11 other parcels containing reptiles, including venomous snakes.
He is due to be sentenced on 23 December and could face up to five years in prison.
You may also like
Canadian man slams city after Indian family plays loud music at Barrie Beach; claims was once fined for playing guitar- Watch
Times Prime rolls out 'Azaadi Unboxed'; Independence Day celebration with Amar Chitra Katha, Tinkle
Boost peonies with 1 simple task that guarantees 'even bigger blooms' next spring
Pak Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh on August 23
IOCL's Q1 net profit surges 83 pc to Rs 6,808 crore
