Couple Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Smuggling Sea Turtle Eggs from Nayarit David Hernandez - San Diego Union-Tribune
go to original May 11, 2016

Sea turtle eggs a couple from Southern California tried to smuggle into the U.S. from Mexico (U.S. Attorney's Office)

A Southern California couple was sentenced to six months in prison for smuggling more than 900 endangered sea turtle eggs into the U.S. from Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Jose and Olga Jimenez pleaded guilty on Feb. 19 to charges of conspiracy, smuggling and unlawful trafficking related to wildlife.

At the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino said the case involved the largest seizure ever of sea turtle eggs imported from Mexico, according to the Attorney’s Office.

The eggs are considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac in Asia, where they sell for hundreds of dollars.

Authorities said the Hemet couple tried to smuggle the eggs into the U.S. in coolers under layers of ice, fish and shrimp.

...A hearing is scheduled in June to set the amount of restitution the couple will have to pay the Mexican government for the loss in its natural resource.

Read the rest at San Diego Union-Tribune

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!