The man faces the prison in us for the delivery of 850 turtles in socks to Hong Kong

The Chinese pleaded guilty to the US District Court for the removal of about 850 protected turtles wrapped in socks and falsely labeled as toys, said the US Department of Justice.

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

The turtle -packed boxes were referred to as “containing” plastic toys for animals, “among other things,” the authorities said.

Mr. Lynn mostly delivered turtles to the east box and three-finger turtles. Both species are local to the United States and are highly valued by some pet owners.

Turtles have unique markings on their shells and are seen as a symbol of status in China, where they are often behaved as pets.

US authorities have estimated that the turtles seized at the d -Lin have a combined market value of $ 1.4 million (£ 1 million). He was caught when the animals were captured by law enforcement during a border check.

Both species that were smuggled in large quantities in the 1990s are protected by the Convention on International Trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Turtle trade can only be authorized with export permits or re -export certificates.

The east box turtle is also considered vulnerable to the International Union for Nature Protection.

In addition to turtles, Lynn also exports 11 other parcels full of reptiles, including poisonous snakes, according to the Ministry of Justice.

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

In March, another Chinese citizen was sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling more than 2000 turtles in an east box.

The animals were also wrapped in socks and packed in boxes that were referred to as almonds and chocolate cookies.

US authorities have calculated the moment every turtle could be sold for $ 2,000 (£ 1,500).