The man faces prison in the United States to send 850 turtles to socks in Hong Kong

A Chinese pleaded guilty before an American district court to export around 850 protected turtles wrapped in socks and falsely labeled as toys, said the United States Ministry of Justice.

Between August 2023 and November 2024, Wei Qiang Lin exported to Hong Kong more than 200 packages containing the turtles, according to a statement from the Ministry of Justice on Monday.

The boxes packed with the turtles had been labeled “containing” plastic animal toys “, among other things,” said the authorities.

Mr. Lin mainly dispatched the oriental gearbox turtles and three finger turtles. The two species are from the United States and much appreciated by certain animal owners.

Turtles have unique marks on their shells and are considered a symbol of status in China where they are often kept as pets.

The American authorities estimated that the turtles seized of Mr. Lin had a combined market value of $ 1.4 million (1 million sterling pounds). It was captured when the animals were intercepted by the police during an inspection of the borders.

The two species, which were introduced in large quantities in the 1990s, were protected by the Convention on International Trade in endangered species of wildlife and flora. Turtle trade can only be authorized with export permits or re -export certificates.

The eastern turtle is also deemed vulnerable by the International Union for Nature Conservation.

In addition to turtles, Mr. Lin also exported 11 other plots filled with reptiles, including poisonous snakes, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Lin, who is expected to be sentenced on December 23, risks up to five years in prison.

In March, another Chinese national was sentenced to 30 months in prison to pass over 2,000 turtles from the eastern box.

The animals were also wrapped in socks and wrapped in boxes, which were labeled as containing almonds and chocolate cookies.

The American authorities estimated at the time when each turtle could have been sold for $ 2,000 (£ 1,500).