A Hong Kong national is facing charges in the United States for allegedly smuggling eastern box turtles, according to the Department of Justice. Sai Keung Tin, also known as "SK Tin," "Ricky Tin," and "Ji Yearlong," was indicted on four counts of exporting merchandise contrary to law.
Tin, 53, was taken into custody on February 25 at JFK International Airport and appeared in federal court in Brooklyn the following day. The indictment, which came down Friday, accuses him of attempting to export 40 eastern box turtles from the U.S. to Hong Kong in June 2023, as per the Department of Justice's announcement.
The turtles, reportedly packaged deceitfully as almonds and chocolate cookies were discovered by wildlife inspectors at an international mail facility in Torrance. Court papers reveal three intercepted packages contained live turtles, each cruelly bound within a sock. A fourth package also contained live turtles, with one unfortunate creature found deceased.
Eastern box turtles are a native species to eastern United States' forested areas, and their colorful markings make them a valued commodity in the pet trade, particularly in China and Hong Kong. These animals are safeguarded by the CITES agreement, which both the United States and China are parties to. The indictment comes after a criminal complaint was filed on February 26, which linked Tin to convicted smuggler Kang Juntao, a central figure in an international turtle smuggling ring.
Kang, a 27-year-old from Hangzhou City, China, was sentenced to 38 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a money laundering charge connected to the trade. Court documents state that between June 2017 and December 2018, Kang had shipped over 1,500 turtles valued at more than $2.25 million. Despite his conviction, authorities have continued intercepting packages bound for Tin and others involved in this black market network.
If proven guilty, Tin could face up to a decade in federal prison for each count against him. The matter is under investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Customs and Border Protection.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section along with Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors and Trial Attorney Lauren Steele of the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section, as noted by Ciaran McEvoy, Public Information Officer for the Justice Department.
