Idiot, perhaps, but isn't that how bearded dragons, V. acanthurus, carpets, and a host of other australian herpetofauna got to north america, or have I just been misinformed?
Unreasonable export policies for common species invite that sort of solution to the problem. Just sayin'

You got it. Its a joke. Prison time for smuggling what amounts to a handful of common species destined for the live trade / breeders. Are you kidding me? Does putting this guy in jail make the world a safer place? California is already looking to dump tens of thousands of convicted criminals from its prison systems due to overcrowding and these clowns are talking about giving this guy jail time. Fines, probation.... sure but jail time............that's nuts.

True, there's big bucks in the illegal trafficking of wildlife but almost all of that money involves using the animals for various products like, skins, medicinal, food, etc., and nobody touches these guys. The BIG ones that is. Smuggling for the live trade accounts for just tiny slice of the "illegal trafficking of wildlife" and almost always involves small numbers of common species.

ERNIE EISON
WESTWOOD ACRES REPTILE FARM INC.

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