and? seems to me by the pm;s I have recieved, that they do care. Just posting facts on box turtles rules in florida. No big deal, and not an attack on anyone. Maybe I enlightened you so you can stay in the lines I have crossed before. Or maybe I showed others that didnt know the law? THINK POSITIVE
Listen convict, I didn't live in Florida when this thread was started, so maybe you should have gotten your facts straight.
You want to be informative? Let me help you out.....here is a fact.
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MIAMI MAN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGALLY SMUGGLING PROTECTED REPTILES
Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Anne Conway, today sentenced
Michael Barrera, 21, of Miami, to 24 months imprisonment for conspiracy to smuggle protected wildlife into the United States. Barrera entered a guilty plea to the charge on December 22, 2004.
According to the plea agreement, Barrera and another coconspirator, who lived outside of the United States, agreed to send reptiles to one another between the United States and Singapore. The coconspirator shipped reptiles by commercial carrier to Barrera from Singapore, and Barrera shipped reptiles by commercial carrier and the U.S. Postal Service to his coconspirator in Singapore. Neither Barrera nor his coconspirator obtained the necessary permits for the international shipment of the animals, nor did they declare the animals upon their export or import. Shipping documents were prepared which omitted any reference to the fact that wildlife was contained in the shipments and intentionally mislabeled the shipments as containing things such as books and magazines.
The animals shipped by Barrera are protected by international treaty and U.S. laws. These laws protect rare animals from overexploitation and commercilization on a worldwide basis. In addition, U.S. law requires that packages containing animals be properly labeled and declared for inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents. Importation of certain animals can create a significant risk of disease transmission potentially harmful to humans such as salmonella. Additionally, shipment of live venomous reptiles poses a significant risk to those who handle the shipments without knowledge of the contents.
Barrera admitted to importing or exporting over 500 animals covered by these laws with a market value between $200,000 and $400,000.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Adams.
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/law/News/BarreraSentenceDOJ.htm
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Add this guy to the list of scumbags that have destroyed this hobby.