LOS ANGELES（cdcanews） – A Los Angeles federal jury has convicted a Garden Grove man of smuggling Asian songbirds into the United States concealed in his suitcase at Los Angeles International Airport.
Can Thanh Nguyen, 63, was found guilty of importing and bringing Asian songbirds into the United States in violation of federal law.
On April 20 of last year, Nguyen, who had a long history of international travel, landed at LAX. At a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) kiosk, Nguyen had stated that he was not carrying any animals or animal/wildlife products. However, Nguyen was subsequently referred by a CBP officer to a secondary agricultural inspection point. While Nguyen was in that inspection area, CBP personnel discovered a total of 27 Asian songbirds that had been carefully concealed within Nguyen’s suitcase. The birds were hidden in cages wrapped in foil or newspaper underneath a layer of foil and clothing to avoid detection. Special Agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) responded to investigate.
Eleven of the Asian songbirds birds found in Nguyen’s suitcase were identified as Chinese Hwamei, Garrulax canorus, a type of Asian songbird which is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Two of the birds found in the suitcase were already dead, and several others died shortly after.
“This case demonstrates my Office’s commitment to prosecute those who criminally exploit wildlife that is threatened with potential extinction,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “The Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section in my Office is dedicated to protecting endangered species and our eco-system.”
Also commenting on the verdict, Special Agent in Charge of the regional office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jill Birchell, stated, “One of the highest priorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement is to investigate individuals and companies that are involved in the unlawful commercial trafficking and smuggling of protected animals and plants here and around the world. This investigation demonstrates our commitment to pursue those who violate fish and wildlife laws for commercial gain as well as those that drive the illegal bird trade nationally and internationally.”
After the jury returned its verdict, United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald set sentencing date of June 27, 2016. At that time Nguyen faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The jury did acquit Nguyen of the first count of the indictment.
This case was a result of an investigation by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from the USDA Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, and the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory.
