MAN FACES PRISON FOR FISHY CRIME; RARE EVIDENCE SWIMS INSIDE TRAVELER'S VALISE.Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer Hoe Jin Soon tried to bring $140,000 worth of ``lucky'' fish into the country from Malaysia, but none of the good fortune rubbed off on him. Soon pleaded guilty Monday to importing an endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. into the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , and he could go to prison for as long as a year, then be deported to Malaysia. U.S. Customs agents nabbed the 31-year-old at Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX , where he was carrying plastic bags filled with fish of the endangered en·dan·ger tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. arowana species. The fish were about 6 inches long but will grow to about twice that length. ``When you go to the carnival and win a fish - that's what it looked like,'' Assistant U.S. Attorney William Carter For other persons named William Carter, see William Carter (disambiguation). William Carter (c. 1548 - 11 January 1584) was a Roman Catholic English printer and martyr. Biography William was born in London, 1548; suffered for treason at Tyburn on 11 January, 1584. said about the packaging, ``except there were 35 of them.'' The arrest reflects a recent rise in trafficking in endangered species. There have been busts for importing sea turtle eggs, snakes and ground-up bear gallbladders - all in the last six months, officials said. Soon was arrested March 12, when he was caught holding a suitcase filled with arowana fish, which are displayed in large tanks by owners who consider them lucky to possess. ``If you go to Chinese or Asian restaurants, you'll see a big, ugly prehistoric-looking fish,'' Carter said. ``That's the arowana.'' Carter said Soon is a Malaysian resident who flew frequently to the United States to sell exotic fish. The seized fish will stay in the United States at a research facility in Denver, Carter said. U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson told Soon he probably will be deported after his prison term is over. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 28, and Carter said he will spend six to 12 months in prison. Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. is the largest port by volume ``in terms of both lawful and unlawful (wildlife) traffic,'' said Larry Farrington, senior resident agent for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. ``Illegal importation of wildlife is big business,'' Farrington said. ``Arowanas, in particular, we see fairly regularly, but this case stands apart from others because of the numbers.'' Farrington, a 22-year veteran with the agency, said jail time for wildlife-related offenses has become more common in recent years. ``It used to be under the Smokey the Bear Smokey the Bear warns “only you can prevent forest fires.” [Am. Pop. Cult.: Misc.] See : Fire category,'' Farrington said. ``Just buy a fishing license or pay a $25 fine.'' |
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