Chinese National Imprisoned for Trafficking Reptiles, Public Affairs Reports
A federal judge in Buffalo, New York, recently sentenced Wei Qiang Lin from Brooklyn to two years in prison. Lin was convicted of trafficking reptiles by falsely labeling live turtles, snakes, and lizards as toys for export to Hong Kong.
Details of the Trafficking Case
Lin was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,339—the amount he had when arrested. From August 2023 to November 2024, Lin shipped approximately 222 parcels containing about 850 turtles. He misrepresented these live animals as “plastic animal toys,” breaching the Lacey Act.
Market Value and Customs Interceptions
The seized turtles had an estimated market value of $1.4 million. Law enforcement officials intercepted these shipments during customs inspections. They found the turtles bound and taped inside knotted socks within the boxes.
- Live animal shipments included:
- Protected Abronia lizards
- Venomous green tree vipers
- Palm pit vipers
- Rare Cora mud turtles
The wildlife mentioned above is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Conservation Efforts
The Buffalo Zoo received the seized turtles, establishing the first-ever assurance colony for Cora mud turtles. This initiative aims to support population recovery efforts should wild numbers decline.
Key Officials Involved
Several officials participated in the announcement of Lin’s sentence. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson and U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo represented the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). Assistant Director Doug Ault from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement also played a role.
Ongoing Investigations
Lin’s case was part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Operation Terrapene. This ongoing operation collaborates with federal and local law enforcement agencies to identify turtle smugglers and dismantle organized trafficking networks. Key federal partners in this effort include:
- Customs and Border Protection
- Postal Inspection Service
- Homeland Security Investigations
Trial Attorney Rachel Roberts and Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, prosecuted Lin’s case, emphasizing the rigorous efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
