BUSTED!

[danieldm]

January 20, 2005

FISH DEALER INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES OF ILLEGALLY IMPORTING AND EXPORTING MEXICAN ANGELFISH

A San Pedro man was indicted today on federal smuggling charges for illegally importing into the United States at least 160 Clarion angelfish, which are indigenous to Mexico and are protected under Mexican law.

Craig Lightner, 40, was named in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. Lightner is currently in state custody for allegedly violating the terms of his probation on an unrelated case, so it is unknown when he will make his first court appearance in United States District Court.

Lightner allegedly arranged for the angelfish to be shipped from Mexico to Los Angeles International Airport. The indictment alleges that he failed to disclose the shipment to either U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

The indictment also alleges that Lightner illegally shipped approximately 20 of the angelfish to Hong Kong, approximately 50 to Japan and another shipment of eight to Hong Kong.

Clarion angelfish are prized for their rarity and their brilliant orange color. Because they are protected in their native habitat, they have a retail value of between $1,000 and $2,500.

Lightner is charged with two counts of smuggling, four counts of making false statements to federal authorities for failing to report the four shipments and one count of obstruction of justice for instructing one of his customers to conceal angelfish from agents of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

If convicted of the seven counts in the indictment, Lightner would face a maximum possible sentence of 35 years in federal prison.

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Link to the press release http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pr2005/013.html

 

[naesco]

As I read this post I thought that the day will come soon where we will read that an importer has been charged with illegally importing fish that they knew or ought to have known were caught with cyanide contrary to the provisions of the Lacey Act.

What effect of would that indictment have on other importers? What do yu think?

IMO the use of cyanide would cease and the Philippines would welcome trainers, capital investment and experts in reef restoration and sustainability.

(By the way who purchased the angels that this alleged criminal imported?
What charges have been laid against them?

 

[bgoode]

Are Clarion Angels illegal to import, or did he get in trouble for failing to report them to customs? I am curious because I saw a couple for sale at a wholesaler in LA a few months ago.

 

[fishinchick]

**Maximus made me delete the first part**

I'm glad someone finally got nailed. Hopefully it will set a precedent for all those other people that try to sneak things in under the bar.


(thank you to Maximus for being my personal spell checker) :p

 

[naesco]

Are Clarion Angels illegal to import, or did he get in trouble for failing to report them to customs? I am curious because I saw a couple for sale at a wholesaler in LA a few months ago.

Which wholesaler?

 

[danieldm]

bgoode-

From what I understand, the "alleged" had the Clarions documented as another fish species (possibly Passer Angels) in order to get them out of Mexico where it is illegal to collect and export them. Then when they got to the US he had to get them through illegally since the import paperwork had them listed as something other than Clarions.

I myself saw them on at least two wholesalers stock lists (SDC & Golden Generations), who as we saw with a previous post from SDC, apparently all played dumb by saying that they didn't know they were illegally imported. I think this is tantamount to an antiques dealer buying a bunch of ivory, and then cryng that they didn't know it could have possibly been anything other than legally imported. Everyone in the anitque business knows it is illegal to import ivory products, and I find it very hard to believe that these long established marine wholesalers could possibly NOT know that these fish come PRIMARILY from Mexican waters, and that they are illegal to collect and export.

 

[bgoode]

It was a while ago and I do not remember which wholesaler it was, so I don't want to wrongfully accuse anyone. It was on 104th in LA, I realize that doesn't really narrow it down much. I knew they were rare, but did not know they were illegal so I didn't think much about it at the time.

 

[Kalkbreath]

I hope that was not Craig I saw on American Idol last night? :wink:

 

[clarionreef]

No,
It was the LA LAW episode.
Steve

 

[Kalkbreath]

Good thing I guess.......
.just think what might come if he quickly learned how to sing like a bird? 8O

 

[IslandDiver]

San Pedro man charged in angelfish smuggling case
In October 2001, the fish trader allegedly made threatened to blow up vehicles at Fort MacArthur.
By Matt Krasnowski
Copley News Service

A San Pedro exotic fish trader and ex-convict was indicted Thursday on federal smuggling charges alleging that he imported at least 160 Clarion angelfish from Mexico.

Craig Lightner, 40, who ran a fish-trading business called Honduras Connection in San Pedro, is facing seven federal felony counts and up to 35 years in prison.

The indictment alleges that Lightner in May 2004 arranged for the Clarion angelfish to be shipped from Mexico to Los Angeles International Airport and that he failed to disclose the shipment to federal authorities.

The rare fish, which have a bright orange color, are indigenous to Mexico and protected under that country's laws. They have a retail value as high as $2,500.

"Mexican nationals collected the fish for Mr. Lightner," said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Carter. "He then directed that these fish be brought into the United States from Mexico."

The indictment also alleges he made shipments of the fish to Hong Kong and Japan without giving the true name and value of the species to authorities.

"These are very rare and very expensive fish," Carter said. "They are very popular in Asia."

Lightner also is accused of instructing one of his customers to hide one of the Clarion angelfish from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents.

He faces two counts of smuggling, four counts of making false statements to federal authorities and one count of obstruction of justice.

Lightner's lawyer did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

He has been in custody in a Los Angeles County jail since October and is currently facing a hearing on a possible probation violation.

Lightner was sentenced to probation in 2002 after pleading guilty to two counts of making a terrorist threat.

In October 2001, Lightner allegedly threatened to blow up military buses arriving at Fort MacArthur during a time of heightened security following the Sept. 11 attacks.

He faced up to seven years in jail if he violated probation.

His lawyer at the time denied that Lightner made threats but said he was upset that drivers at the fort were honking their vehicle horns and waking his child.

District Attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison said Lightner allegedly left the United States in violation of his probation. A hearing is set for Feb. 4.

Carter said the angelfish smuggling case is unrelated to the alleged probation violation.

 

[JT]

*sigh*

I hate saying I told you so.

- Uncle JT

 

[clarionreef]

JT,
I thought it was Kalk Revere who told us first.
His importer told him long before the boat even left the dock!
...and he kept it a secret...except for us here.
Steve

 

[JT]

JT,
I thought it was Kalk Revere who told us first.

Didn't say I was first.

- Uncle JT

 

[Anonymous]

bgoode-

From what I understand, the "alleged" had the Clarions documented as another fish species (possibly Passer Angels) in order to get them out of Mexico where it is illegal to collect and export them. Then when they got to the US he had to get them through illegally since the import paperwork had them listed as something other than Clarions.

I myself saw them on at least two wholesalers stock lists (SDC & Golden Generations), who as we saw with a previous post from SDC, apparently all played dumb by saying that they didn't know they were illegally imported. I think this is tantamount to an antiques dealer buying a bunch of ivory, and then cryng that they didn't know it could have possibly been anything other than legally imported. Everyone in the anitque business knows it is illegal to import ivory products, and I find it very hard to believe that these long established marine wholesalers could possibly NOT know that these fish come PRIMARILY from Mexican waters, and that they are illegal to collect and export.

Gotta give them the benefit of the doubt. They thought they were purchasing $750-1500 passer angels!