Tag

Illegal Trade

All articles tagged with #illegal trade

environment1 month ago•6 min saved

Global Efforts to Curb Illegal Wildlife Trade and Protect Endangered Species

The article discusses the rise of the illegal exotic pet trade, driven by online marketplaces and social media, which threatens wild populations of reptiles, birds, and amphibians. It highlights efforts at the CITES conference to implement stricter regulations and bans on certain species, such as Galápagos iguanas and African tortoises, amid concerns over illegal trafficking, permit abuse, and the impact on biodiversity. The article also notes opposition from pet trade advocates and emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation to combat wildlife exploitation.

via AP News|

#cites #environment #exotic-pet-trade

world5 months ago•1 min saved

Chinese man pleads guilty to smuggling 850 protected turtles worth over $1 million to Hong Kong

A Chinese man pleaded guilty in a US court to illegally exporting around 850 protected turtles wrapped in socks and falsely labeled as toys to Hong Kong, with a market value of approximately $1.4 million, risking up to five years in prison. The turtles, native to the US and highly valued as pets in China, are protected species, and the case highlights ongoing wildlife smuggling issues.

via BBC|

#illegal-trade #smuggling #turtles

crime-and-legal-technology1 year ago•1 min saved

"Japanese Man Arrested for Selling Hacked Pokemon Save Data, Faces Prison Time"

A 36-year-old individual in Japan has been arrested for selling manipulated rare Pokemon save files for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, fetching prices as high as $90, in violation of Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The seller confessed to the crime and faces potential prison time or a hefty fine, as the police suspect the potential earnings from the hacked Pokemon could be in the millions of Yen. This incident highlights the legal ramifications associated with the manipulation and sale of hacked Pokemon within Japan’s strict legal framework.

via My Nintendo News|

#arrest #crime-and-legal-technology #hacking

crime2 years ago•4 min saved

Men Charged with Killing and Trafficking Eagles for Profit

Two men from Montana and Washington have been charged with killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, over a six-year period and selling their parts on the black market. The men conspired with others to hunt and kill the birds, using tactics such as luring eagles with a dead deer. They sold eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts for significant sums of cash across the United States. The killings took place on the Flathead Indian Reservation and other locations. The illegal trade in eagle parts is driven by a backlog of permit requests for religious purposes, creating a market for illegal eagle parts.

via KOMO News|

#bald-eagles #black-market #crime

crime2 years ago•4 min saved

Illegal Bird Killing Spree: Men Charged with Selling Protected Eagles on Black Market

Two men from Montana and Washington have been charged with killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, in a "killing spree" and selling their parts on the black market. The men conspired with others to hunt and kill the birds, using tactics such as luring eagles with a dead deer. They sold eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts for significant sums of cash across the United States. The killings began in 2015 and continued until 2021. Bald and golden eagles are protected by U.S. law, and the illegal trade in their parts is driven by a backlog of permit requests for legitimate religious purposes. The accused face multiple charges of unlawful trafficking and violating wildlife trafficking laws.

via KATU|

#bald-eagles #black-market #crime

wildlife-conservation2 years ago•1 min saved

Global Wildlife Trafficking Operation Yields Major Seizures of Live Animals, Ivory, and Exotic Species

Interpol and the World Customs Organization conducted their annual Operation Thunder, seizing live animals including primates, big cats, and birds, as well as ivory, turtle eggs, rhino horns, leopard skins, and lion teeth and paws in a crackdown on wildlife and timber trafficking across 133 countries. Over 500 arrests were made, and more than 2,000 confiscations of animals and plants were carried out. The operation highlights the links between environmental crime and other forms of crime, emphasizing the role of customs in disrupting criminal networks through strict border controls and intelligence-sharing.

via Yahoo News|

#endangered-species #illegal-trade #interpol

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Controversial Mexican Startup's Endangered Fish Health Drink: Unveiling 'Nature's Best Kept Secret'"

Environmental watchdogs have accused Mexico-based startup, The Blue Formula, of violating international trade law by selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to several countries, including the U.S. and China. The company claims to operate sustainably by sourcing fish from a farm with a permit to breed totoaba, but environmental groups argue that the farm does not have a permit for commercial export. Advocates are concerned that the company and farm could be used as a front to launder wild totoaba, which is illegal and contributes to the decline of critically endangered vaquita porpoises.

via CBS News|

#endangered-species #environment #environmental-watchdogs

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Controversy Surrounds Mexican Startup's Sale of Endangered Fish Health Drink

Environmental watchdogs have accused Mexican startup The Blue Formula of violating international trade law by selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to countries including the U.S. and China. Advocates are concerned that the fish may be illegally caught in the wild. The company claims to operate sustainably by sourcing fish from a farm with a permit to breed totoaba, but environmental groups argue that the farm does not have a permit for commercial export. Fishing for totoaba is endangering the vaquita porpoise, and the high demand for totoaba bladders in China is driving illegal gillnet fishing.

via Fox News|

#endangered-species #environment #environmental-advocacy

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

Massive Organ Trafficking Ring in Pakistan: Hundreds of Kidneys Surgically Removed and Sold

Police in Pakistan have arrested eight individuals for their involvement in an illegal organ harvesting ring, where kidneys were surgically removed from hundreds of patients and sold to wealthy clients in need of transplants. The alleged gang leader, known as "Dr Fawad," conducted 328 operations, with each kidney fetching up to $34,000. The gang operated in various regions, including Taxila, Lahore, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where there are no laws regarding kidney transplants. Three deaths have been confirmed so far, and investigations are ongoing. The chief minister is working to strengthen cyber laws to prevent online advertisements for illegal kidney transplants.

via CNN|

#crime #gang #illegal-trade

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Neo-Nazis Threaten Rare Hitler Beetle with Extinction

The Anophthalmus hitleri beetle, named after Hitler, is being driven to extinction by neo-Nazis who collect it as memorabilia. The rare beetle, found only in Slovenian caves, has been targeted by collectors for years, with specimens selling for high prices. Scientists are now advocating for the beetle to be renamed to end the illegal trade. The debate surrounding the renaming has brought attention to the beetle's plight, but reports of its exploitation by fascist collectors date back nearly two decades.

via Futurism|

#beetle #environment #extinction

crime2 years ago•3 min saved

"Disturbing Discovery: FBI Uncovers Human Remains Adorning Kentucky Man's Apartment"

FBI agents discovered 40 human skulls and other remains decorating the Kentucky apartment of James Nott, who is allegedly connected to a ring involved in the illegal buying and selling of human body parts. The investigation began after police found organs and skin at the home of Jeremy Pauley in Pennsylvania, who revealed information about the network. Cedric Lodge, a former morgue worker at Harvard Medical School, is accused of stealing and selling cadaver body parts. Nott, who has not been charged with crimes related to the body parts, is facing a federal charge for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

via CNN|

#body-parts #crime #fbi