Smuggling endangered/protected tortoises
Miami, FL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 15, 1999
County: Miami-Dade

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Rodney Carrington

Carrington, a Barbados pet store owner tried to enter the United States with 55 red-footed tortoises stuffed in his pants. Carrington told customs officers that he had nothing to declare but his pants told otherwise. The officers became suspicious when his pants began to wriggle. The officers discovered Carrington was wearing two sets of pants and had stuffed the 4-inch long endangered reptiles between the inner and out pair of pants.

Carrington confessed and told officials he planned to sell the tortoises. They would only fetch about $5 in Barbados, but go for $75 each here in the United States.

Carrington has been charged with smuggling and violating a treaty prohibiting the transportation of endangered species. The tortoises were handed over to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

References

• The Nashua Telegraph 12/5/1999
• The Manchester Union Leader 12/5/1999
• The Miami Herald 12/4/1999

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