Yep, this was a thing that happened.
Between August 2023 and November 2024, Wei Qiang Lin exported to Hong Kong more than 200 parcels containing the turtles, according to a Justice Department statement on Monday.
The boxes packed with the turtles had been labelled as ‘containing "plastic animal toys", among other things', the authorities said.
Lin took eastern box turtles, three-toed box turtles, and venomous snakes from America and shipped them to China … in socks.
Why did Lin go to the hassle when there are plenty of turtles in Asia?
Well, the unique markings on North American turtle shells is considered exotic by wealthy Asians, who buy them as status symbols and keep them as pets.
U.S. officials estimated his haul was worth a cool $1.4 million, and he's not the only one who's tried to cash in:
In March, another Chinese national was sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling more than 2,000 eastern box turtles.
Lin faces up to 5 years in prison.
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