GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Snohomish County man Nathaniel Swanson, 36, was handed a 12-month prison sentence for leading a conspiracy to traffic protected reptiles. Swanson and his co-conspirators were alleged to have smuggled domestic species abroad and imported Asian species into the U.S., with an estimated market value ranging from $120,000 to $200,000.
Swanson’s scheme was part of a broader network involving five co-defendants, including Tak Ming Tsang, 24, who received six months in prison. Cheuk Yin Ko, 25, awaits sentencing. The illegal trade mainly concerned species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Endangered Species Act.
U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan highlighted the cruelty of the operation: “The turtles were wrapped in socks and taped to stay still and hidden from inspectors.” Swanson’s actions, Durkan emphasized, were part of a long-term scheme to profit from endangered species trade.
The investigation was sparked by a delivery service worker who reported suspicious activity. Law enforcement intercepted several shipments but the extent of the operation remained largely unknown due to deceptive practices. Swanson exported Eastern box turtles, North American wood turtles, and ornate box turtles, among other protected species, while importing black-breasted leaf turtles and critically endangered Arakan forest turtles.
Surviving animals were cared for by local zoos and wildlife centers, with the defendants to share costs of about $28,500. Swanson’s sentence includes three years of supervised release after prison.
The case underscores the international nature of wildlife trafficking and the global effort to combat it, as emphasized in President Obama’s Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking. Swanson’s sentence sends a strong message that such offenses are taken seriously by law enforcement and international partners alike.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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