Most of the animals are protected by an international endangered species
agreement and can only be imported with a permit.
After the animals were smuggled into the US, Yamagami sold or traded them at
pet shows and used the proceeds to purchase snakes, turtles and tortoises
native to North America, which were then smuggled to Japan for resale,
authorities said.
Yamagami paid couriers to hide wildlife inside luggage, according to court
documents. Authorities believe Yamagami and his couriers took more than 40
trips to and from the US between 2004 and 2011.
Ushirozako also pleaded guilty in August to a smuggling charge and was
released from federal custody after being sentenced to time served, which
totaled about seven months.
Source: agencies
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