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.