Man Pleads Guilty in Fish Smuggling Case
A Malaysian man pleaded guilty in federal court this week to illegally importing 35 endangered arowana fish in water-filled plastic bags stashed inside his suitcase.
The arowanas, also known as dragon or lucky fish, are considered tokens of good fortune in some Asian communities and sell for $2,000 to $4,000 apiece, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. William W. Carter.
Their importation is banned under U.S. law and international treaty obligations.
Hoe Jin Soon, 31, an exotic fish exporter in Malaysia, was arrested on March 2 after U.S. Customs and Department of Fish and Wildlife inspectors ordered him to open a large suitcase he had brought on a flight from Penang.
Carter said Soon told authorities that he was to give the suitcase to an unidentified man at the airport.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to recommend that Soon be sentenced to six to 12 months in prison. Soon, who has been in custody since his arrest, faces a maximum of five years behind bars and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced in June.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
