A chance conversation with strangers on an aircraft was inspired to punish a couple of California involved in an animal smuggling ring. In November 2023, a flight for Sacramento was discussed when the couple got to talk with fellow passengers about their hobbies.
Bayran Lee Fitzpatrick, 24, and 28 -year -old Shannon Lee Price told his fellow passengers that he once illegally hunted a hill lion, a particularly protected species in California. He accepted the smuggling of an endangered turtle skull in his carry-on bag and also said about a relative’s “trophy room”, which was filled with a wolverin and other animal-filled taxidarmized mountain lions.
Passengers, they were talking, wildlife officers came out.
Within two days, the authorities obtained search warrants for the couple’s house in Chico and their relative’s house in NAPA County. At his home, the authorities discovered a horseman barn owl, a ringtail cat, mountain lion claws and several deer, which were occupied without the appropriate tag.
In California, Ringtail cats are a protected species, and without state and federal license, it is illegal to acquire a horseman raptor or parts of one.
“This case shows how important it is to be vigilant at all times for our wildlife authorities,” said Nathanial Arnold, head of CDFW’s law enforcement.
He said, “Like the trafficking of human and drugs, wildlife smuggling of both living animals and animals is known to fund international criminal organizations and their violent activities worldwide.”
Mr. Fitzpatric and MS Price were found guilty of breaking the state wildlife rules and fined $ 1,865 and $ 1,015 respectively. He also received one year of probation, which prevents him from hunting or joining the predators. If they violate the federal wildlife laws, they risk every $ 1,000.
According to a 2023 report by rating agency Moody’s 2023, Global Wildlife Trafficking is the third largest criminal smuggling operation worldwide, behind fake foods. The report states that the United States is “source, destination and transit” for illegal wildlife and animal product smuggling.
