The turtles were intercepted during a border inspection, where the reptiles were observed bound and taped inside knotted socks packed in the shipping boxes
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Wei Qiang Lin, of Brooklyn, New York, has pleaded guilty to falsely labeling about 850 Eastern and three-toed box turtles as fake toys and attempting to export them to Hong Kong, the DOJ said in a statement announcing the guilty plea.
According to the DOJ, between August 2023 and November 2024, Lin exported about 222 parcels that were labeled as plastic animal toys but contained the live turtles. The DOJ said the market value of the turtles was about $1.4 million.
Rockalina The Eastern Box Turtle Left On House Floor For 48 Years Getting Care She Needs
The turtles were intercepted during a border inspection, where the reptiles were observed bound and taped inside knotted socks packed in the shipping boxes. The DOJ says Lin also exported 11 other packages that included other reptiles and some venomous snakes.
Lin is facing five years in prison and three years supervised release when he is sentenced December 23. Lin also faces a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss of the illegal activity he pleaded guilty to. He also forfeited any property interest in the reptiles that were seized during the year long investigation.
