The scheme involved illegally taking live succulent plants from public parks in northern California and attempting to export them to South Korea.
The ringleader of a scheme to illegally export to South Korea live succulent plants stolen from Northern California parks — and worth at least $150,000 —was sentenced this week to two years in federal prison, authorities said.
In May 2019, Kim fled to Mexico after he learned that he was being charged by the United States federal government with attempting to illegally export over $600,000 worth of Dudleya plants,Over 3,700 wild plants were poached from public lands in Northern California, at locations like Mendocino County, DeMartin State Beach and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, by Kim and two other accomplices, according to federal prosecutors.
In a few days, the men loaded up two rental cars with boxes, empty backpacks, rubber totes and traveled to public lands in Northern California, where they covertly harvested Dudleya plants, according to an 11-page indictment. Over the next few weeks, the three South Korean nationals zigzagged across Northern California where the Dudleya grows in the wild and harvested the plants. After each trip, the men unloaded the plants at Kim’s nursery in San Diego.
The men unloaded the plants at a commercial exporter in Compton and labeled their shipment “Live Plants.” But after they left, local police served a search warrant. Investigators found more than3,700 Dudleya plants and also discovered that the men did not have a scientific permit or a federal permit to harvest the plants, according to federal prosecutors.. But in January 2019, prosecutors say Kim lied to the South Korean Consulate in Los Angeles and he was given a new passport.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Woman, 74, found dead after fire at South Jersey home, police sayThe cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday, authorities said.
Leer más »
1 Man Killed, 2 Wounded In South Austin ShootingOne man is dead and two others were wounded late Thursday in a shooting in the South Austin neighborhood.
Leer más »
Opinion: Classic regularity rallying descends on the south west | AutocarHero-Era Per Ardua ad Infinitum regularity rally returns to turbulent weather
Leer más »
Black voters in South Carolina voice frustration with Biden's first year in officeMany say they’re disappointed, in particular, with the failure by Democrats to pass key voting rights legislation in the Senate.
Leer más »
South Park's Parody Superhero Name Just Became Marvel CanonA joke superhero name that once appeared on an episode of SouthPark — Seaman — has now become Marvel Comics canon in a dark alternate future.
Leer más »
US Navy challenges Chinese territorial claims in the South China SeaA United States Navy guided missile destroyer challenged Chinese claims of sovereignty in and around islands in the South China Sea on Thursday, with a Navy statement saying such claims violate international law and 'pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas.'
Leer más »