Kaix
05-09-2006, 11:12 AM
Man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he smuggled endangered fish considered to be "lucky" into the United States through Los Angeles International Airport.
Bao Huynh, 26, faces three counts of smuggling an endangered species for allegedly trying to bring five Asian Arowana into the country from Vietnam.
Huynh is scheduled to be tried May 16. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000 on each count.
Arowana, which are native to Southeast Asia, grow to an adult length of 2 to 3 feet. They can live for many years in an aquarium, and sell for as much as $5,000 each in the United States.
The allegedly smuggled fish were found hidden in unmarked bags in a shipment of other tropical fish that Huynh was trying to bring into the country on Jan. 19, according to prosecutors.
Under the Endangered Species Act and international treaties, permits are required to export endangered species from their country of origin into the United States.
Bao Huynh, 26, faces three counts of smuggling an endangered species for allegedly trying to bring five Asian Arowana into the country from Vietnam.
Huynh is scheduled to be tried May 16. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000 on each count.
Arowana, which are native to Southeast Asia, grow to an adult length of 2 to 3 feet. They can live for many years in an aquarium, and sell for as much as $5,000 each in the United States.
The allegedly smuggled fish were found hidden in unmarked bags in a shipment of other tropical fish that Huynh was trying to bring into the country on Jan. 19, according to prosecutors.
Under the Endangered Species Act and international treaties, permits are required to export endangered species from their country of origin into the United States.