Five indicted in South Korea for smuggling exotic and endangered animals
Ring smuggled 200 non-native animals into the country using parcel delivery, resulting in the death of many animals
En resumen
Prosecutors in South Korea have indicted five members of an illegal wildlife trafficking ring for smuggling 200 exotic and endangered animals into the country and selling them online.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
South Korea is a party to CITES, a global treaty aimed at protecting endangered species from illegal trade.
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Thursday they have indicted five members of an illegal wildlife trafficking ring that smuggled exotic and endangered animals, including Chinese alligators, into South Korea.
The individuals face charges of violating customs and wildlife protection laws for illegally trading animals brought in from overseas, according to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office.
The ringleader is accused of smuggling 200 non-native animals into South Korea from November 2023 to August 2024 and selling 54 endangered animals. The four others are suspected of being complicit in the scheme.
The prosecution said the traffickers bought animals from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, before smuggling them into South Korea to sell on online reptile forums. The animals were sent to buyers nationwide via parcel delivery.
In order to avoid customs, the traffickers smuggled in young animals using tin or plastic cases and taped their mouths to prevent them from making noise, the prosecution said, adding that many animals died due to stress.
Customs officials at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, referred the case to the prosecution in July last year after catching one of the traffickers. Prosecutors eventually identified others involved in the scheme.
A total of 95 smuggled animals have been confiscated and are currently under the care of the National Institute of Ecology in the western county of Seocheon, about 170 kilometers south of Seoul.
South Korea is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a global treaty aimed at protecting endangered species from illegal trade.
Preguntas abiertas
- What specific penalties do the indicted individuals face?
- How many total buyers were identified in the nationwide parcel scheme?
