California Man Charged in Federal Turtle Trafficking Case, Faces Severe Penalties
A Daly City man, Donald Do, has been charged with federal wildlife trafficking offenses as part of a joint state and federal operation targeting the illegal turtle trade. The operation, known as 'Operation Southern Hot Herps,' aims to curb the poaching and illegal export of turtles from the southeastern United States to Asia. Do is accused of purchasing and attempting to export 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan using falsified documents. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Do falsely claimed to have hatched and raised the turtles to obtain an export permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The turtles were reportedly poached from Florida and other areas, and Do allegedly sought 'wild caught' turtles for the Asian pet market. His accomplice, Albert Bazaar, was also charged with animal trafficking for stealing over 1,800 wild turtles from Florida streams. Do has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a status hearing on July 31 in San Francisco. 
