A Chinese national could face up to five years in prison for attempting to smuggle over $1 million worth of protected turtles from the United States to Hong Kong. Wei Qiang Lin, a resident of Brooklyn, admitted guilt on Monday in a federal court in New York for exporting more than 220 shipments containing approximately 850 eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the live turtles were concealed in socks for their long journey, and the parcels were falsely labeled as containing “plastic animal toys.” The total value of the turtles was estimated at $1.4 million. Law enforcement intercepted the shipments during a border inspection, where officers discovered the turtles wrapped and taped inside socks within the shipping boxes.
These particular species of turtles are highly sought after in the pet trade, especially in China and Hong Kong, due to their striking patterns. The Justice Department pointed out that both species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
In addition to the turtles, Lin allegedly shipped 11 other packages containing various reptiles, including venomous snakes. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 23, with Lin facing up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a potential fine of up to $250,000. Last October, another Chinese woman pled guilty for attempting to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles across a Vermont lake to Canada by kayak.