A Californian has smuggled more than 1,700 wild animals into the United States. The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to illegally bringing the animals, worth a total of $739,000 into the country, Los Angeles prosecutors said Wednesday. According to the information, it also involved 60 reptiles hidden in bags in the man’s clothing. In late February, the animals were found during a checkup at the US-Mexico border – three died.
The man, who is from Ventura County near Los Angeles, admitted in a corresponding agreement with the prosecutor’s office that he illegally brought numerous wild animals into the US between January 2016 and February 2022. He organized the smuggling through social media and also hired accomplices to cross the US-Mexico border with the animals.
Small turtles or baby crocodiles imported
Prosecutors say the animals, including small turtles and baby crocodiles, were imported from Mexico and Hong Kong without being declared to US customs under the CITES species protection agreement or without proper ownership permits.
After being allowed to leave the detention center in ankle cuffs in May, the man got rid of the tracking device and fled to the Mexican border town of Tijuana. However, he was caught a month later and returned to US custody. He faces up to 20 years in prison for smuggling alone. A hearing is scheduled for December.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
