During a border inspection,turtles were found bound and taped inside knotted socks packed in shipping boxes.
The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that Wei Qiang Lin, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, has pleaded guilty to falsely labeling approximately 850 Eastern and three-toed box turtles as fake toys in an attempt to export them to Hong Kong. This proclamation was made in a statement released by the DOJ regarding the guilty plea.
Between August 2023 and November 2024, lin exported around 222 parcels labeled as plastic animal toys but actually containing live turtles. The market value of these turtles was estimated at $1.4 million by the DOJ.
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the turtles were discovered during a border inspection, where they were found bound and taped inside knotted socks packed in shipping boxes. the DOJ also revealed that Lin had exported 11 other packages containing various reptiles and some venomous snakes.
Lin is facing a potential sentence of five years in prison and three years of supervised release when he is sentenced on December 23.He may also be fined up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from his illegal activities.Additionally, he has forfeited any property interest in the seized reptiles following a year-long examination.
Good, these beautiful creatures should be protected, not exploited for profit.