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The smuggling took place over a period of about 6 months in 2016 and involved multiple individuals who worked together to coordinate the scheme. The latest individual to plead guilty relating to this case, William Thomas Gangemi, says he collected the turtles for the leader of the turtle smuggling group who shipped them out of the US. They were intercepted at JFK International Airport in New York. The reptiles were shipped through the United States Postal Service, being hidden in things like candy wrappers, socks, and shipped in boxes labeled as "snacks." Shipping reptiles when done properly, poses little to no harm to the animals, but when done neglectfully, it likely stresses them out. Shipping endangered reptiles over state and international lines usually requires permits because of the Endangered Species Act, and it is very important to follow the legal rules when purchasing any endangered species.
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Yes he is a member and there are multiple posts about him in the Board of Inquiry.
Also thank you for posting this article; it's an update to
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=661074.