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The Chinese man pleaded guilty to the US District Court of about 850 protective turtles wrapped in socks, and falsely designated as toys, the US Justice Ministry said.
Between August 2023 and November 2024, Vay Ten Lin exported more than 200 parcels to Hong Kong, a statement by the Ministry of Justice on Monday.
The boxes filled with turtles were marked as “containing” plastic toys for animals “, among other things,” the authorities said.
Mr. Lynn first and foremost supplied Oriental turtles and three-way turtles. Both species come from the United States and is highly appreciated by pets.
Turtles have unique markings on their shells and are considered as a status symbol in China, where they are often stored as pets.
US authorities have estimated that the confiscated turtles gd had a combined market value of $ 1.4 million (1 million pounds). He was caught when the animals were intercepted by law enforcement agencies during one border inspection.
Both species that were smuggled in large quantities in the 1990s were protected by the Convention on International Trade in the disappearance of wild fauna and flora. Turtle trading can only be allowed with export permission or reexport.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is also considered a vulnerable turtle.
In addition to the turtles, Mr. Lin also exported 11 more parcels filled with reptiles, including poisonous snakes, the Justice Ministry reports.
Mr. Lynn, who should be sentenced on December 23, faces up to five years in prison.
In March, another Chinese citizen was sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling more than 2,000 oriental turtles.
Animals were also wrapped in socks and packed in boxes, which were marked as almonds and chocolate cookies.
At the time, the US authorities estimated that each turtle could be sold for $ 2000 (1500 pounds).
