Buffalo, New York; December 24th, 2025
A Chinese national residing in Brooklyn has been sentenced to federal prison following a multi-year scheme involving the illegal export of live reptiles from the United States to foreign markets, according to an announcement issued by the United States Department of Justice.
Wei Qiang Lin was sentenced in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York to 24 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to violations of federal wildlife trafficking and false labeling laws. The court also imposed a monetary judgment reflecting funds seized at the time of his arrest.
Federal authorities stated that between August 2023 and November 2024, Lin orchestrated the shipment of approximately 222 parcels from the United States to Hong Kong, each falsely declared as containing plastic toys. Inspections later revealed that the parcels instead contained live reptiles, including approximately 850 turtles protected under international conservation agreements. The total estimated value of the trafficked wildlife exceeded $1.4 million.
The Department of Justice reported that the animals were concealed in socks and cloth bindings inside shipping boxes, a method intended to evade detection during transport. Among the trafficked species were box turtles, Abronia lizards, and multiple species of venomous snakes, including green tree vipers and palm pit vipers, all of which are protected under international treaty.
The scheme was uncovered through coordinated inspections and investigations conducted by federal wildlife and customs authorities. Prosecutors stated that the trafficking operation violated the Lacey Act, which prohibits the false labeling and illegal export of protected wildlife, as well as provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Authorities further stated that the investigation formed part of a broader federal enforcement effort targeting wildlife trafficking networks operating across international borders. The seized animals were transferred to qualified facilities for care and conservation, including placement with the Buffalo Zoo, where officials established an assurance colony to support the long-term preservation of affected turtle species.
Federal officials emphasized that the illegal wildlife trade threatens biodiversity, undermines conservation efforts, and places protected species at risk of extinction. The sentence imposed in this case reflects the seriousness with which federal law treats violations involving endangered and protected animals.
The Department of Justice concluded that the prosecution and sentencing of Lin demonstrate the continued commitment of federal agencies to enforcing wildlife protection laws and disrupting international trafficking operations that exploit vulnerable species for profit.
Sources
Primary First-Hand Sources
- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Office of Public Affairs, “Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Reptiles,” December 24th, 2025
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