Wei Qiang Lin, who shipped the turtles from the U.S. to Hong Kong with false toy labels, could serve up to five years in prison for his actions that highlight a crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
**Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling 850 Turtles to Hong Kong in Socks**
**Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling 850 Turtles to Hong Kong in Socks**
A Chinese national faces sentencing in December after admitting to the illegal export of over 850 turtles concealed in socks.
Lin shipped more than 200 packages containing eastern box and three-toed box turtles from August 2023 to November 2024, which were found packed in socks during a border inspection. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Lin falsely labeled these packages as containing "plastic animal toys."
Both turtle species, often desired as pets in China due to their unique markings, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Lin’s smuggled turtles were assessed to have a market value of approximately $1.4 million.
Lin's illegal activities came to light after authorities intercepted some shipments. In addition to turtles, he was found to have exported parcels containing other reptiles, including venomous snakes.
He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 23, facing a potential five-year prison term. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. wildlife officials to curb the illegal trafficking of endangered species; earlier this year, another individual received a 30-month sentence for smuggling more than 2,000 turtles in a similar scheme.
Both turtle species, often desired as pets in China due to their unique markings, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Lin’s smuggled turtles were assessed to have a market value of approximately $1.4 million.
Lin's illegal activities came to light after authorities intercepted some shipments. In addition to turtles, he was found to have exported parcels containing other reptiles, including venomous snakes.
He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 23, facing a potential five-year prison term. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. wildlife officials to curb the illegal trafficking of endangered species; earlier this year, another individual received a 30-month sentence for smuggling more than 2,000 turtles in a similar scheme.
