US Fish & Wildlife Service-led investigation targets players in a network of illegal turtle suppliers, smugglers, and buyers
More than 600 turtles were stuffed in socks and bound with tape inside mislabeled boxes to avoid detection
In the 10-month period from November 2017 to August 2018, brothers Chu Sen Guan and Chu Wei Guan shipped more than 600 native North American turtles — including eastern box turtles, Florida box turtles, and wood turtles — from the United States to Hong Kong.
Before packing the turtles in boxes, the men would stuff each one inside a sock and tightly wrap it with tape to prevent it from moving its limbs. That sound would have drawn attention to the boxes. They weren’t labeled as live animals; they were labeled as toys or clothes.
Nevertheless, in late 2017, wildlife inspectors for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intercepted one of the parcels at the International Mail Facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Brothers sentenced for roles in conspiracy to smuggle native turtles from the U.S. | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
More than 600 turtles were stuffed in socks and bound with tape inside mislabeled boxes to avoid detection
In the 10-month period from November 2017 to August 2018, brothers Chu Sen Guan and Chu Wei Guan shipped more than 600 native North American turtles — including eastern box turtles, Florida box turtles, and wood turtles — from the United States to Hong Kong.
Before packing the turtles in boxes, the men would stuff each one inside a sock and tightly wrap it with tape to prevent it from moving its limbs. That sound would have drawn attention to the boxes. They weren’t labeled as live animals; they were labeled as toys or clothes.
Nevertheless, in late 2017, wildlife inspectors for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intercepted one of the parcels at the International Mail Facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Brothers sentenced for roles in conspiracy to smuggle native turtles from the U.S. | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service