WASHINGTON PARISH, La. – A Louisiana man is now facing serious federal charges after authorities say he was involved in a large-scale turtle trafficking operation that allegedly stretched from Florida all the way to Asia.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a man from Washington Parish has been detained in connection with illegally harvesting and selling protected turtles that investigators say were later shipped overseas for huge profits.
Turtles
Louisiana Turtle Trafficking Case Involves More Than 1,800 Turtles
Federal investigators allege that Albert Bazaar of Angie, Louisiana illegally collected over 1,800 turtles from Florida between 2022 and 2023.
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According to fox8live.com, court documents claim the operation involved:
1,700 loggerhead musk turtles
100 stripe-neck musk turtles
15 striped mud turtles
Authorities say the turtles were taken from protected habitats in Florida, where laws strictly regulate turtle harvesting and wildlife collection.
The turtles reportedly ended up in the Asian exotic pet market, where rare reptiles can sell for massive amounts of money. Investigators estimate the turtles involved in the case may have been worth more than $550,000.
Investigators Say Turtles Were Falsely Labeled As Captive-Bred
KALB.com reports “Bazaar is charged with creating a declaration of captive-bred wildlife that falsely stated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the turtles were lawfully bred in Alabama and Georgia.”
According to the indictment, the turtles were allegedly exported through San Francisco and sent to Taiwan using fraudulent paperwork.
turtle trafficking
Why Turtle Trafficking Is A Big Deal
While it may sound unusual, wildlife trafficking is considered a major international crime industry. Rare reptiles, turtles, snakes, and exotic animals can command extremely high prices in underground markets around the world.
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The case Bazaar is currently facing also involves alleged violations of the federal Lacey Act, which makes it illegal to transport or sell wildlife obtained in violation of state or federal laws. Prosecutors say the turtles involved are also protected under international wildlife trade agreements known as CITES.
If convicted, Bazaar faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 fine on each of the conspiracy and Lacey Act charges.
Read more at KALB.com.
7 Secret Beaches and Swimming Holes in Louisiana
If beaches are your thing, Louisiana has you covered. We’ve got Grand Isle, Holly Beach, Rutherford Beach, Fontainebleau Beach, and North Beach in Lake Charles to name few. Maybe you like beaches, but crowded beaches just aren’t your thing. Louisiana has numerous “secret” beaches and swimming holes for you to keep cool this Summer without all of the crowds.
Gallery Credit: Michael Scott
