Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The Taylor show will go on as usual despite what occurred 2 weeks ago in Ohio. I will be there altho I'm not taking any of my personal animals just to be on the safe side. If anyone can make if over to drop by and say hello and maybe talk some shop, that would be cool. And Chris, I heard from Mark and he's shipping out my rescue conspicuosa Monday or Tuesday. Can't wait!!

hey jane i will try to make it for sure. i must have missed what happened in ohio? and mark is sending you a rescue conspicuosa? whats it's story? can you please post the date of the show in your reply. if it is this saturday how early does it start. talk to ya soon chris

hey jane i will try to make it for sure. i must have missed what happened in ohio? and mark is sending you a rescue conspicuosa? whats it's story? can you please post the date of the show in your reply. if it is this saturday how early does it start. talk to ya soon chris

it starts at 10am. You didn't hear about the reptile raids in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana?? I'll tell you about it when I see you.

Special Issue HerpDigest 7/4/03
> Articles On Last Weekend's Bust Of Those Involved in Commercial Side of
> Herpetology
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Last weekend local and federal authorities busted numerous owners of
> herps,
> (mostly for owning poisonous snakes in towns, cities, counties and states
> where such ownership is illegal, dealers (for state and interstate trade
> in
> illegal animals). Ohio officers raided a herp show in Ohio just before it
> was about to open. The most publicity came from the actions in Michigan,
> Ohio and Indiana. Each state had their own name for their part of the
> operation. Michigan was Operation Slither, Ohio was Operation E & T.
> (Endangered and Threatened)
> There are plenty of rumors going around, so I thought it might help get
> the
> records straight by printing some of the articles and press releases I've
> found and received concerning the bust. The material is listed
> chronologically.
> What I've definitely heard is that in terms of people arrested and number
> or
> animals involved it is one of the largest herp busts on record, and that
> other states (Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Arizona and Washington) are
> involved and the case has already involved busts concerning drugs and dog
> fights.
> A full list of the animals and numbers confiscated will be released, but
> it
> already seems it will include a few thousand animals, including gila
> monsters to box and wood turtes and several species of poisonous snakes
> not
> found in the US including cobras.
> There is one thing clear, keeping in mind that these articles at least
> appeared in most media outlets in the states they were issued in, and
> nationwide, the massive publicity around this case was meant to send a
> clear
> message to the herp world. "Don't break the law, you are being watched."
> Editor
> P.S. After the monkeypox outbreak was tracked to a herp swap meet, the
> deaths caused by salmonella traced to pet Green Iguanas, and the finding
> of
> West Nile Virus Disease in herps, does the herp world need to supply those
> who want to close herp shows, make it illegal to keep herps, any more
> ammunition?
>
> A regular issue of HerpDigest will be sent out sometime this weekend.
> ______________________________________________________________
> TABLE OF CONTENTS
> 1) Authorities Bust Illegal Reptile Ring (Michigan) 6/29/03
> 2) Local Authorities Seize Over $50K In Reptiles: Officials Seek Warrants
> Against 13 People (General AP article sent out about the bust covering
> Ohio,
> Indiana, but mostly Michigan contains a lot of new information. Sent same
> day as article first article
> 3) Illegal Snakes Found During Reptile Raids In Indiana 7/1/03
> 4) Black-Market Reptile Trade Gets Shelled: About 100 Illegally-Captured
> Turtles Found In Local Man's Home (Michigan) 7/1/03
> 5) State Wildlife Officials Continue To File Charges In Illegal Wildlife
> Trade Investigation, Ohio DNR press release July 2, 2003 (Press Release
> includes names and crimes of those so far charged)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 1) Authorities Bust Illegal Reptile Ring
> AP, Jue 29, 2003
> 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. The morning raids in Ohio, Indiana and southern Michigan followed a
> two-year investigation by the states' departments of natural resources and
> the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, officials said.
> ``It's the first time we've actually been able to catch them and hopefully
> it will send a strong message to curtail that activity,'' said Brad
> Wurfel,
> press secretary for the Michigan DNR. The ring was under observation for
> more than a decade, and the break came when investigators managed to
> infiltrate the group by posing as dealers, trappers and customers,
> officials
> said. At least 50 people in the three states are expected to be charged,
> officials said. More than 100 snakes, turtles and other animals were
> seized
> as 10 homes were searched in Ohio, said Jim Quinlivan, law enforcement
> supervisor for the Ohio DNR's Wildlife Division. About 150 protected
> turtles
> and 20 protected snakes were seized in Michigan, along with marijuana,
> according to an undercover detective with the Michigan DNR, who asked not
> to
> be identified. Their market value was estimated at more than $55,000. Some
> of the animals were spotted turtles, which are a protected species in
> Michigan and can sell for as !
> much as $250 each, the detective said. The illegally traded animals also
> included spotted salamanders, which are amphibians.
> Many of the Ohio animals were colorful snakes and turtles native to the
> Lake
> Erie shore, while others such as Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are found
> in hilly regions inland.
> The number of animals seized in Indiana was not immediately available.
> ((This is a very early report, the numbers as you will see increase,
> editor)
> __________________________________________________________________________
> (This article is similar to that above, but includes a lot of additional
> information, It was issued latter the same day -editor)
> 2) Local Authorities Seize Over $50K In Reptiles: Officials Seek Warrants
> Against 13 People , AP June 29, 2003
> State and federal wildlife officials seized at least 200 rare and
> threatened
> reptiles in raids in three states aimed at breaking up one of the nation's
> largest networks of illegal reptile sales. The raids, which took place
> just
> before 9 a.m. Saturday, were conducted in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. They
> stemmed from a two-year-long investigation by the departments of natural
> resources in the three states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
> officials said. "It's the first time we've actually been able to catch
> them
> and hopefully it will send a strong message to curtail that activity,"
> said
> Brad Wurfel, press secretary for the Michigan DNR. Search warrants were
> issued for eight homes in Inkster, Southgate, Berkley, Lansing, Sterling
> Heights, Ypsilanti and an unnamed southwestern Livingston County
> community,
> Wurfel said. Although the ring was under observation for more than a
> decade,
> the break in the case came after investigators began infiltrating the
> group
> two years ago by !
> posing as dealers, trappers and customers, federal officials said.
> While working undercover, investigators conducted business with
> approximately 50 dealers and collectors who were unlawfully selling rare
> and
> exotic animals in the three states, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
> said.
> The animals included gila monsters, spotted turtles, Blanding's turtles,
> fox
> snakes, black rat snakes, Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, timber
> rattlesnakes, Eastern box turtles, spotted salamanders, Indian pythons and
> indigo snakes, the service said. The number of animals seized in Michigan
> alone topped 170. The reptiles included more than 150 protected turtles
> and
> 20 protected snakes, according to an undercover detective with the
> Michigan
> DNR who asked that his name not be published. About 100 turtle eggs, which
> authorities believe were being bred for sale as pets, were also
> confiscated,
> the detective said. The market value of the Michigan animals is estimated
> at
> over $55,000. Some of the animals seized were spotted turtles, which are a
> protected species in Mi!
> chigan and can sell for as much as $250 each, the detective said. In
> addition to recovering the reptiles, officials also seized a large
> quantity
> of marijuana and a small amount of what appears to be cocaine in the
> Michigan raids, the detective said. The exact number of animals seized in
> the Ohio and Indiana busts was not immediately known. But an official with
> the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said she expects the total for the
> three
> states to exceed 200 animals. At least 50 people in the three states have
> been contacted and are expected to be charged, officials said. Michigan
> officials are seeking warrants for 13 people cited in Saturday's raids,
> although more are likely to be charged as the investigation progresses,
> the
> detective said.
> According to undercover investigators, most of the crimes took place at
> monthly animal swap meets, where a variety of animals are sold. It's
> difficult for state authorities to prosecute illegal sales at these meets
> because in order to do so they must prove that the animals were illegally
> obtained in Michigan, Wurfel said. Many of the animals in question can be
> legally sold at the meets if they are brought in from other states that
> don't outlaw their capture, he said. That's where the undercover
> investigators come in. Their testimony will help authorities show the
> sales
> were illegal, Wurfel said. One dealer paid $25,000 for several illegally
> collected snakes. One transaction involved the unlawful sale in Indiana of
> a
> King Cobra, a 7-foot black mamba snake and a venomous black coral snake,
> according to a statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
> Michigan charges are expected to range from misdemeanor counts of
> illegally
> selling protected wildlife, to felony count!
> s of possession with intent to deliver narcotics and animal cruelty, the
> detective said. The state's case is expected to be prosecuted by the
> Michigan Attorney General's Office because of the multiple jurisdictions
> involved, the detective said. The results of the federal investigation
> will
> be forwarded to the appropriate U.S. Attorney's Office for possible
> federal
> charges, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.
> ______________________________________________________________________
> 3) Illegal Snakes Found During Reptile Raids In Indiana
> AP, July 1, 2003 INDIANAPOLIS -- Seven venomous snakes seized in Indiana
> as
> part of a multi-state crackdown on illegal sales of exotic animals could
> have fetched several thousand dollars on the black market, a state
> conservation officer said. Seven people were arrested in Indiana, said
> Capt.
> Terry Hyndman of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Their names
> were not released. "There's a variety of charges," he said Monday. "We
> have
> everything from a simple illegal possession of a protected species to
> illegal sales of a protected species to unlawful interstate commerce.
> "That's one of the things the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is very
> interested in," Hyndman said. "If you purchase or possess something
> illegally in one state and cross state lines, you've violated federal
> law."
> The simultaneous raids in Indiana, Ohio and southern Michigan on Saturday
> followed a two-year undercover investigation. Hundreds of rare and
> endangered turtles and snakes were confiscated, and !
> at least 50 people were expected to be charged in the three states.
> "Indiana was much smaller than the others, which we were very thankful
> for,
> because that tells us that our raid in 1998 did a good job," Hyndman said.
> Several hundred illegal reptiles and amphibians were seized and several
> dozen people were arrested in Indiana raids five years ago. This time, the
> raids -- in the western Indiana town of Clay City and in Evansville --
> produced four rattlesnakes, two vipers and one cobra, all poisonous.
> "There
> seems to be more and more people who want to get into the exotic pet
> trade,
> either as a status symbol with a unique pet or for the black market. It's
> an
> extremely profitable black market," Hyndman said. "In Indiana, we have
> some
> very strict rules on what native species you can or cannot possess. The
> reason is, when it's left unchecked, there's such a market for them there
> are reptile hunters out there that will actually decimate the population
> in
> a given area," he said. !
> The most valuable snakes taken in the Indiana raids probably a!
> re two G
> abon vipers, an albino western diamondback rattlesnake and an albino
> cobra,
> each likely worth more than $600, Hyndman said. "The others would be more
> toward $200 to $400," he said. The DNR also is keeping for evidence a
> deadly
> black mamba that was seized in Ohio and returned to Indiana. The snake was
> bought illegally in the parking lot of the Indiana State Fairgrounds
> during
> a Midwest reptile show three weeks ago, Hyndman said.
> _______________________________________________________________________
> 4) Black-Market Reptile Trade Gets Shelled: About 100 Illegally-Captured
> Turtles Found In Local Man's Home (Michigan 7/1/03) mlive.com
> One of two Ypsilanti Township men arrested Saturday during a massive
> undercover operation aimed at illegal reptile dealers was one of the
> biggest dealers in the eight-state sting, law enforcement officials
> alleged on Monday. According to Department of Natural Resources officials,
> about 100 illegally-captured adult breeding turtles were found in the home
> of the 53-year-old man in the 1200 block of Davis Street. About six
> turtles
> were confiscated from a 21-year-old resident of the 100 block of Oregon
> Avenue. In Livingston County, authorities said a 40-year-old Gregory man
> was
> found with about 15 illegal snakes. He was also charged with manufacturing
> marijuana. The names of the suspects have not been released, pending
> arraignment. More than a dozen tickets were issued and nine search
> warrants
> were executed by state and federal law enforcement teams throughout
> Michigan, which were among units from eight states nationwide coordinating
> simultaneous enforcement against illegal reptile dealers. "Operation
> Slither," as it was known in Michigan, focused on reptile dealers who are
> suspected of dealing animals illegally captured from the wilds of
> Michigan,
> and exotic species that are o!
> therwise illegal for possession and sale. Michigan is home to more than a
> dozen protected reptile and amphibian species. "We knew there were
> individuals who were dealing and trading in animals that are already
> protected in Michigan because their numbers are shrinking," said DNR
> spokesman Brad Wurfel. "Historically, the feeling we got from members of
> this hobbyist community was that they weren't terribly concerned about
> being
> busted for what they were doing. As of Saturday, we became a concern." He
> said Michigan law is such that unless you are caught taking the animal
> from
> the wild, there are ways to easily obscure records so that it looks like
> the
> animals came from a state where they are not protected by law.
> A swap meet show was scheduled to open at 9 a.m. in Columbus, Ohio, and
> at 8:50 a.m., as doors were being knocked on in Michigan, the show was
> raided by state and federal authorities. The same thing was happening in
> Indiana, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Arizona and Washington.
> In Michigan, warrants were also served in Berkley, Lansing, Sterling
> Heights, Southgate and Inkster. This is probably the hardest hit this
> industry has ever taken in the United States," said an undercover DNR
> detective who asked that his name not be used. "We've never done an
> investigation like this into the reptile industry. ... We have direct
> evidence that these Michigan animals are going all over the United States,
> possibly to other countries." Most of the Michigan raids recovered wood
> turtles, Blanding's turtles, spotted turtles, and Eastern box turtles. DNR
> officers had long suspected that certain Michigan reptile dealers were
> trafficking in protected Michigan species. "We've been working for upwards
> of 15 years to try to get somebody inside," said Wurfel. "However, it's a
> very tightly-knit community and our efforts to infiltrate with an
> undercover
> officer had long gone exposed, busted, and otherwise rejected."
> Finally, in June 2001, a DNR undercover officer infiltrated the dealer
> network by posing as a snake and turtle trapper. Federal undercover
> investigators were also working the dealer network nationwide, posing as
> dealers. Michigan cooperated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
> Statewide, Saturday's raids led to the recovery of nearly 200 reptiles now
> under the care of a veterinarian. Officials will return as many as
> possible
> to the wild. Nearly 70 conservation officers in Michigan were involved in
> the Saturday raids. The cases will be prosecuted by the state Attorney
> General's Office. Most are misdemeanor charges, although there are will be
> a
> few felony charges as well, according to DNR officials. "Anyone looking to
> illegally profit from the black-market trade of animals should be
> forewarned: You will face prosecution in Michigan," Attorney General Mike
> Co
> x said in a statement.
> __________________________________________________________________________
> __
> ________________
> 5) State Wildlife Officials Continue To File Charges In Illegal Wildlife
> Trade Investigation
>
> Ohio DNR press release July 2, 2003
>
> STATE WILDLIFE OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO FILE CHARGES
> IN ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE INVESTIGATION
> Wildlife officers conduct "Operation E&T" to protect endangered and
> threatened species
>
> COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio wildlife officials continue to issue summonses to
> individuals in and out of the State of Ohio as part of a multi-state
> effort
> launched on June 28 to crack down on the illegal sale and possession of
> endangered reptiles and amphibians.
> The Ohio portion of the multi-state enforcement action has so far resulted
> in 153 charges being filed against 28 individuals, according to the Ohio
> Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). State and federal wildlife
> officials titled the investigation "Operation E&T" in reference to its
> efforts to protect endangered and threatened wildlife species. Results of
> the investigation have been forwarded to the appropriate U.S. Attorney's
> Office for possible future federal charges. The undercover investigation
> by
> the ODNR Division of Wildlife was conducted in cooperation with the U.S.
> Fish and Wildlife Service and the departments of natural resources in the
> states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana. The cooperative
> investigation,
> initiated from public complaints, focused on the illegal sale of native
> reptiles and amphibians in Ohio and
> surrounding states. "It is important that Ohioans continue to be able to
> enjoy our
> state's wildlife diversity," said Law Enforcement Supervisor James
> Quinlivan
> of the ODNR Division of Wildlife's District One Office. "It became
> apparent
> that laws designed to protect Ohio wildlife were being blatantly
> disregarded, and native Ohio reptiles and amphibians were being illegally
> taken from the wild and sold for profit." Many violations allegedly
> occurred
> at reptile shows held in Columbus, Ohio and locations in Michigan and
> Indiana. The violations involved the unlawful interstate and intrastate
> commerce of federal and state-protected species; the unlawful collection
> and
> possession of native Ohio reptiles and amphibians taken from the wild;
> possession of wild animals without proper permits; and failure to keep
> accurate animal records.
> Depending on the violations, these misdemeanor charges carry maximum
> penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, 120 days in jail, and restitution for
> the wild animals illegally taken or possessed. The ODNR Division of
> Wildlife
> will also seek felony indictments
> against individuals involved in the unlawful sale of wild animals whose
> value exceeded $1,000. These fifth-degree felonies carry a maximum
> penalty
> of up to $2,500 in fines and one year in jail.In 2000, the ODNR Division
> of
> Wildlife strengthened regulations
> concerning the possession and trafficking of native Ohio reptiles and
> amphibians. The updated laws protect and conserve native reptiles and
> amphibians, while maintaining options for their use for educational
> purposes. Undercover officers posed as dealers, trappers, and customers in
> the sale of reptiles and amphibians. State wildlife officers monitored
> approximately 50 individual dealers and collectors allegedly involved in
> the
> unlawful commercialization and taking of species such as spotted turtles,
> Blanding's turtles, fox snakes, black rat snakes, Eastern massasauga
> rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, Eastern box turtles and spotted
> salamanders. Individuals under investigation also allegedly dealt in
> federally protected species such as Indian pythons and indigo snakes.
> So far hundreds of reptiles and amphibians, including non-venomous and
> venomous snakes have been recovered. Included in the recovery of venomous
> snakes was a black mamba, a species native to Africa which is considered
> one
> of the world's most poisonous and aggressive snakes. Ohio laws allow for
> the
> possession of limited quantities of some
> native species of reptiles and amphibians taken from the wild, and for the
> possession of animals by educational institutions. Snakes legally obtained
> from out-of-state or animals produced in captivity can be sold or traded.
> Proper permits from the ODNR Division of Wildlife are required in most
> instances. "We encourage people to enjoy Ohio's wildlife, including our
> interesting reptiles and amphibians. However, problems arose when
> individuals would not follow our permitting process, and animals were
> illegally taken or possessed," said Quinlivan. Many of the species sold
> for
> hundreds of dollars each. One of the dealers allegedly paid $25,000 for
> several illegally-collected snakes, and
> another sold more than 80 spotted salamanders allegedly taken from the
> wild.
> A collector contacted by undercover officers allegedly captured more than
> 2,000 snakes in just three days. Law enforcement officers believe these
> illegal wild-caught animals were then funneled into the pet trade, many
> going out of state. "Illegal collection and ommercialization could
> potentially seriously harm wild populations of these animals here in Ohio
> and throughout the Midwest," said Quinlivan. "And the more rare or unusual
> the animal, the more prized and higher the price paid. The amount of money
> involved was
> incredible."
>
> For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at ohiodnr.com
>
> A Current List Of Those Charged Is Attached
>
> For Further Information Contact:
> Jim Lehman, ODNR Division of Wildlife
> (614) 644-3925
> -or-
> Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
> (614) 265-6882
>
> ODNR Division of Wildlife
> OPERATION E & T
> CRIMINAL CHARGES AS OF: July 1, 2003
>
>
> Operation E & T - An undercover law enforcement investigation by the Ohio
> Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in cooperation
> with the Departments of Natural Resources in the states of Michigan,
> Pennsylvania, and Indiana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the
> illegal possession, taking, and commercialization of reptiles and
> amphibians.
>
> * The below are charges by the ODNR Division of Wildlife that
> have been served on defendants as of this date. As many as 100 additional
> charges are being considered and/or prepared and can be expected to be
> served on some of the below defendants as well as additional defendants in
> days and weeks to come.
>
> * The charges below are misdemeanors of the 4th, 3rd, or 1st
> degree. Depending on the degree, they carry maximum penalties of up to
> $1000 fines and 120 days in jail, in addition to restitution for the
> animals
> involved and any other court orders such as probation, community service,
> etc.
>

However, I did not feel it was appropriate at this time for me to include it on the list. I have not thorougly reviewed the reading myself, and don't want to pass on personal information that may or may not be correct.

I would like to say I'm not on that list

i saw somthing on the news in berkly. so would say i should'nt bring any of my animals. let me know before tomorrow. chris

I would suggest that you leave them home. I'm only taking 2 rescue Green Iguanas, including all of their paperwork and health certificates. I may be overcautious but I'd rather do that than risk losing any animals. My Cyclura and Tegus are staying home!!! Hope to see you there!

Will the august 9 show be just as good as the one on saturday?

please email me if you have any information..... BamBasher69@aol.com