Chinese Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling 850 Protected Turtles to Hong Kong

Wei Qiang Lin has admitted to shipping approximately 850 protected eastern box turtles to Hong Kong, disguising them as toys. The turtles, valued at $1.4 million, are highly sought after in China, leading to strict enforcement actions by U.S. authorities.

A Chinese man, Wei Qiang Lin, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. district court for exporting nearly 850 protected turtles wrapped in socks, falsely labeled as "plastic animal toys," to Hong Kong. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Lin shipped over 200 parcels containing the turtles between August 2023 and November 2024.

The turtles, primarily eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, are native to the United States and considered highly desirable pets in some regions of China, where they are seen as status symbols. The unique markings on their shells add to their appeal. Authorities estimate that the seized turtles have a collective market value of $1.4 million (£1 million).

Lin's illegal activities came to light when law enforcement intercepted the turtles during a routine border inspection. Both turtle species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and can only be traded with appropriate export permits or re-export certificates. Notably, the eastern box turtle is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

In addition to the turtles, Lin also attempted to export 11 other parcels containing various reptiles, including venomous snakes. Lin's sentencing is scheduled for December 23, where he could face up to five years in federal prison. This case recalls a similar incident earlier this year, where another Chinese national received a 30-month prison sentence for smuggling over 2,000 eastern box turtles in a similar manner, further underscoring the ongoing issues surrounding wildlife trafficking.