Man faces jail in US for shipping 850 turtles in socks to Hong Kong

August 12, 2025

Wei Qiang Lin, a Chinese man, has pleaded guilty in a US court to illegally exporting approximately 850 protected turtles to Hong Kong over a 15-month period ending in November 2024. The turtles, primarily eastern box and three-toed box turtles valued at approximately $1. 4 million, were wrapped in socks and falsely labeled as "plastic animal toys" in more than 200 parcels.

Who is affected

Eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles (protected species)
Wildlife conservation efforts
International wildlife trade regulations
The pet market in China where these turtles are considered status symbols
US customs and border protection operations

What action is being taken

The US Department of Justice is prosecuting Wei Qiang Lin for illegal wildlife trafficking
Lin has pleaded guilty to the charges in a US district court
Law enforcement is intercepting illegal wildlife shipments at the border
Authorities are enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Why it matters

The smuggled turtles had a combined market value of $1.4 million (£1m)
Both turtle species are protected by international conservation agreements
The eastern box turtle is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
These turtles are highly prized as status symbols in China
The case highlights ongoing illegal wildlife trafficking between the US and Asia
Similar smuggling cases continue to occur, as evidenced by another Chinese national sentenced for smuggling 2,000 turtles earlier in the year

What's next

Wei Qiang Lin is set to be sentenced on December 23
He faces up to five years in prison

Read full article from source: BBC