Turtles like this diamondback terrapins were seized
The Turtleman is swimming in big trouble.
The Canadian Press reports that a Canadian man faces charges in federal court in Detroit for for allegedly running a reptile smuggling operation. He was caught at the border with 51 live turtles stuffed down his pants. He is scheduled to appear in federal court today.
Federal court documents state that officers with the Canada Border Services Agency officers intercepted Kai Xu as he attempted to cross into Windsor from Detroit last month. The turtles are prized as food or pets in China, the news agency reported.
"During the secondary inspection, Xu was found to have 51 live turtles tapped (sic) to his person," Kenneth Adams, a special agent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated in an affidavit outlining the criminal complaint.
"Specifically, Xu had 41 turtles tapped (sic) to his legs and 10 hidden between his legs."
Canadian authorities seized the turtles and turned them over to the American officials.
The Canadian Press wrote:
While the interception occurred in August, details were only made public after Xu and a second Canadian, Lihua Lin, 30, of the Toronto area, were arrested and charged in U.S. district court this week following an investigation by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
