Man Accused of Importing Carnivorous Fish, Frogs
A Compton businessman man was charged Tuesday with importing carnivorous fish and frogs that the city attorney said pose a serious threat to California’s native wildlife.
Lassana S. Kaba, 26, was charged with violating three state laws barring importation of African clawed frogs, snakeheads and walking catfish. (Walking catfish and snakeheads are tropical fish.) “These fish and amphibians . . . are very aggressive species that are banned by California law because they can be a menace to native wildlife here,” City Atty. Jim Hahn said.
On Sept. 27, Hahn said, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents spotted the three species listed on importation documents filed at Los Angeles International Airport.
A total of 400 African clawed frogs, 400 snakeheads and 11 walking catfish were inventoried, Deputy City Atty. Donald Kass said. All had been imported from the Aphatet Fish Farm in Nigeria. Kaba, scheduled for arraignment March 12 in Los Angeles Municipal Court, faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
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