Chinese flight attendant who tried to smuggle turtles pleads guilty

Federal prosecutors say a flight attendant for a Chinese airline has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle nearly two-dozen spotted and box turtles in a carry-on bag from Los Angeles to China. The US Attorney’s Office says Huaqian Qu, a Chinese national, entered his plea Thursday to a charge of conspiracy. He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced July 23. Officials say Qu and a fellow flight crew member with China Eastern Airlines tried to unlawfully export a total of 45 turtles that are protected under international trade law. The turtles could have been worth more than US$40,000 in Asia. City News Service says the co-defendant is expected to plead guilty on Friday.<br/>
AP
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2151915/chinese-flight-attendant-who-tried-smuggle-dozens-turtles-la
6/22/18