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Post by hewi on May 20, 2015 8:35:56 GMT
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Post by wollastoni on May 20, 2015 8:54:06 GMT
Very sad news. I hope Alex will be able to show accurate permits and will be cleared of all charges. I know Alex and his wife, I have invited them at home in the past, they are 2 very kind persons. And Alex doesn't need to sell butterflies to live so he will never "traffic" species for money, as said in this article. Another occasion to re-warn everyone, never take CITES species with you in your luggage if you don't have ALL permits.
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Post by wollastoni on May 20, 2015 9:45:44 GMT
FYI he had those problems for common CITES II species. So even for common CITES II species, don't take any risks.
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Post by mygos on May 20, 2015 9:57:30 GMT
I have met Alex and his wife too ! I wish him all the best to clear from that stupid situation as quickly as possible A+, Michel
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Post by Adam Cotton on May 20, 2015 13:59:56 GMT
It doesn't matter if they are common or rare, if you are going to travel overseas with specimens listed on CITES (or send them) you need to have the permits. Hopefully Alex can indeed clear up the problem.
Adam.
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Post by Paul K on May 20, 2015 15:09:34 GMT
Unless he can get permits issued before he entered US he may be in big trouble . U.S. Wildlife and fish agency is very strict and it is more difficult to import anything there. I don't understand what the guy was thinking ?
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Post by Adam Cotton on May 20, 2015 15:44:28 GMT
When I read the posts above I originally assumed that he was leaving the US with specimens, but reading the article it is clear that he was attempting to enter the US with specimens he brought from Japan. If he has Japanese CITES export permits he can apply for import permits on arrival (but he has to declare the specimens, not try to go through customs without declaring them). As far as I know it is very difficult to obtain export permits from Japan, so presumably he didn't have them on him.
Adam.
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Post by africaone on May 20, 2015 16:33:18 GMT
Do the Japan really respect CITES ?
I heared that quite nothing is verified for entry there ! I am curious to know the exact situation (not the official one )
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Post by trehopr1 on May 21, 2015 3:01:53 GMT
I agree with Paul K's remark --- what was the guy thinking? The U.S. F&W service is a very strict agency. You don't even want to THINK about crossing them. Or should I put it --- be caught in their crosshairs ! If they even suspect your trying to round-about them, pull the wool over their eyes, bend the rules, skirt the rules or otherwise generally try to "play" the ignorance card than your done ! ! That's something akin to "swift kicking a half sleeping grizzly bear". Not only will the claws bleed you. The pummeling that you endure will MORE THAN hurt. Honestly, no one in the dealer end of the hobby can seriously play the ignorance trump card --- no matter how nice they try to come across. Dealers all converse with one another. And certainly the rules involving import, export, cites, non-cites etc. is all brought to their attention either officially (because they are a business) or un-officially through business contacts. Why do you think there are so few insect dealers left anymore here in the U.S.? Not only is it expensive to receive every package ($35 a piece last I heard) no matter the size. Its a snowstorm of paperwork which has to be kept, organized, and available upon request. Not saying that it's any easier overseas but, over here you had better cross all the T's and dot all the I's. I know of a small dealer who went out of business in the late 80's. F&W took a particular interest in him over some Australian buprestids he was found to have without proper paperwork. He was dragged through the court system for several years via continuances. Ended up having to pay a paultry $500 fine but, had accrued a legal debt of $10,000 U.S.D. And that was back in the late 80's when the agency was just starting to ramp-up their presence. Considering the amount of material he had and the fact that 150 are considered "endangered" by the agency puts him in a grave state of affairs. And also considering the fact that it appears he was trying to import them clandestinely only further complicates any excuses he has. Wishing him good luck is an understatement. The bear has just got up in a REAL BAD mood...
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Post by wollastoni on May 21, 2015 14:58:16 GMT
Alex has pleaded not guilty, see here He told me it was a false accusation case now and should be able to show all the permits (Cites II), he didn't have received them on time. I am sure he will find a way to solve this whole mess.
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Post by Paul K on May 21, 2015 17:29:49 GMT
It is not going to be so easy, not in US. If he can get permits dated before he entered US the judge can perhaps drop the charges not to declare dry insects at the first place, but that is going to be costly. North America is the continent of lawyers and they will sack big money out of his packet.
Paul
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Post by nomad on May 21, 2015 19:20:42 GMT
Hoping this will be sorted soon. Best Wishes to Alex.
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Post by wollastoni on May 30, 2016 16:54:35 GMT
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Post by wollastoni on Jun 8, 2016 13:49:52 GMT
Any news ?
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Post by trehopr1 on Jun 8, 2016 18:41:58 GMT
I have not heard anything "credible" yet from any of my sources here across the pond. However, it does seem that some finality to the case was reached but, honestly I've been hearing differing variations on the end result. The lawyer costs and court fees will likely be painful enough. The specimens themselves are likely "confiscated evidence".
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