Turtle Traffickers Caught in Cross-Country Smuggling Ring
Two California women have been caught in a massive cross-country turtle trafficking ring, pleading guilty to smuggling threatened North American Wood turtles out of the United States. SO YI CHAN, 29, and her aunt, SUI FAN CHIU, 50, admitted to being part of a group that captured the threatened species from the wild in Pennsylvania, shipped them to Louisiana and then on to California, and finally exported them to Hong Kong.
According to court documents, CHAN and CHIU’s homes served as drop locations where the turtles were sent in California. CHAN also admitted to packaging the turtles and mailing them to Hong Kong, falsely declaring that the boxes contained legos and magazines.
The duo faces severe consequences for their actions. CHAN could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. CHIU faces a maximum term of three years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite praised the work of the Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.
The sentencing for CHAN and CHIU is set for June 15, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle.
This case highlights the severity of wildlife trafficking and the importance of protecting endangered species. The U.S. government will continue to crack down on such crimes, bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring the preservation of our natural world.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that CHAN and CHIU’s actions were not isolated incidents. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service will continue to work together to combat wildlife trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Wildlife Crimes|Environmental Crimes|Conservation Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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