California man charged with attempted illegal export of 292 trafficked turtles

A man in California is confronted with federal charges following his alleged attempt to unlawfully export almost 300 trafficked turtles out of the US.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed on Friday (May 15), that Donald Do from Daly City was arrested and charged with conspiracy and violations relating to the Lacey Act, after purportedly filing false paperwork for a federal export permit in an effort to send protected turtles to Taiwan.

As stated in the indictment, Do and an associate allegedly planned to send 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan from December 2022 through May 2024.

“Following the acquisition of the export permit, Do reportedly purchased musk turtles illicitly captured from the wild in Florida and elsewhere, with attempts to buy even more," stated DOJ officials. "Do informed sellers of his willingness to accept 'wild caught' specimens and provided instructions on sending them to San Francisco."

Do also reportedly sought to obtain over 200 turtles from Albert Bazaar, a Louisiana man also arrested last week in Phoenix over his own turtle trafficking allegations.

Bazaar is accused of tricking the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) into granting a permit based on a false claim that Do had raised the turtles himself.

“After failing to export the turtles, Do allegedly tried to hide his involvement by misleading his California associate into believing he had sold the turtles to other buyers within the country," officials stated.

Do stands accused of breaching the Lacey Act, which prohibits providing false details about wildlife involved in "international or interstate commerce, or transacting in wildlife obtained in violation of state laws," as per the DOJ.

The USFWS mentioned that this investigation into Do's actions fell under the scope of Operation Southern Hot Herps — "a cooperation between federal and state enforcement agencies aimed at preventing turtle poaching in the southeastern U.S."

According to the DOJ, Do professed not guilty to the charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 21, and if found guilty, he risks up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for each of the conspiracy and Lacey Act violations.

Loggerhead musk turtles have been recognised under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora's (CITES) list of protected species since November 2022, the DOJ reports.

The species is named for its notably large head, which houses "strong jaw muscles" enabling them to crack and eat hard-shelled prey like whelks and conch, as noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Mature loggerheads can weigh between 200 and 350 pounds and reach lengths of 2.5 to 3.5 feet, according to NOAA. They are believed to have a lifespan of 70 years or more.

Even though loggerheads are present globally, they are the most prevalent sea turtle species nesting in the US. They inhabit coastal waters, with many specimens found in the U.S. migrating from places such as the Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico.