Two men from Japan have been arrested for smuggling more than 50 live turtles and tortoises, hidden in snack boxes, into the United States.
Atsushi Yamagami and Norihide Ushirozako (USHEE’-row-za-ko), both of Osaka, were arrested Friday at Los Angeles International Airport and charged with one count each of illegally importing wildlife and one count of violating the Endangered Species Act.
These guys could face up to 21 years in prison if convicted!
We never knew the United States took turtles so seriously, but we’re glad they do!
Leave endangered animals alone!
Apparently, this arrest is linked to an undercover investigation on a smuggling operation brining turtles into the United States.
Forget drug cartels, now we have turtle cartels to worry about too!
We have a feeling Hollywood action movie plots may start shifting from drugs to greener crime like animal smuggling soon!
[Image via AP Images.]