Collection of articles and quotes regarding the recent raids

I'll list a few of the more conspicuous quotes and a list of links for those who want to read the news on the recent raids.
The quotes listed were picked for their sensationalism and retoric qualities.

"The dealings in these snakes, reptiles and amphibians is second only to drugs in how lucrative it can be," Lehman said. "It's just unbelievable."
-Cleveland.com

This one is a recurring theme, calling those raided a "network" or an "illegal reptile ring". They are making every effort to give this a real air of organization, as if all these people were working together to pull off some major master plan to exploit endangered reptiles for profit.
The worst part is these stories are the only side the public, and in many cases the lawmakers, will hear.

Authorities bust illegal reptile ring
DETROIT (AP) — State and federal wildlife officials seized hundreds of rare and endangered turtles and snakes in raids Saturday aimed at breaking up one of the nation's largest suspected networks of illegal reptile and amphibian sales.
- USA Today

They called it one of the nation's largest networks of illegal reptile sales.
- 13abc.com

The ring is belived to be one of the largest operating.
- The Washington Times

The ring was under observation for more than a decade...
- Ohio.com

At least 32 people were charged with about 150 counts, with more charges still being processed through Saturday night, he said. The number of suspects could eventually top 100, Quinlivan said.
``These were mostly people who had collected the animals out in the wild,'' he said.
- ohio.com [emphasis mine]

One of the confiscated reptiles, a Gaboon viper -- which has the longest fangs of any venomous snake -- could sell for
about $600 on the black market, RTV6's Norman Cox reported.
- theindychannel.com [Norman obviously lives on the cutting edge of the reptile market]

About 100 turtle eggs, which authorities believe were being bred for sale as pets, were also confiscated, the detective said.
- clickondetroit.com

Using a bit of unsubstantiated heresay to spice it up...

"Until we began our investigation we had no idea the reptile trade was such a big business," said Lehman.
"Dealers travel state to state and some had a lot of confidence that they are untouchable," he said. "We talked to collectors who took so many of a species of reptile that there were no more left in the wild in certain areas. One collector took a vacation to western states and collected 2,000 snakes in three days."
- cleveland.com
["Lehman" who is quoted here and in the first quote is Jim Lehman, district manager of the Ohio Division of Wildlife in Columbus.]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2300911/detail.html
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaind...9539133670.xml
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...ies-raid_x.htm
http://www.13abc.com/index.cfm?Artic...SideID=&IsItm=
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-break...0941-8214r.htm
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/6201780.htm
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2303760/detail.html