Posted under Crime & Conservation
Five men were arrested Thursday for illegal international trade of exotic skins and parts manufactured from sea turtles and other protected species of wildlife.
The two indictments detail 54 conspiracy, smuggling and money-laundering charges. The defendants are accused of smuggling 25 separate shipments of wildlife skins and products between Mexico and the United States between early 2005 and today. The shipments contained more than 700 tanned skins of sea turtle, caiman, python and other protected species, and well over 100 items, such as boots, belts and wallets, manufactured from the skins of those species.
The indictments allege that nearly $60,000 was paid to the Mexican suppliers and of the illegal skins and products, in addition to “crossing fees” paid to the alleged smugglers.
Arrested in Denver were Carlos Leal Barragan, of Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico; and Esteban Lopez Estrada and Martin Villegas Terrones, both of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. The other two men are Texas residents. Jorge Caraveo, of El Paso, Texas, was arrested in that city, and Oscar Cueva, of McAllen, Texas, was arrested there.
Each conspiracy count in the indictments carries a maximum penalty of five years incarceration and $250,000 in fines. Each smuggling and money laundering count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years incarceration and $500,000 in fines.