The suspects tried selling endangered sea turtles for human consumption

Jul 23, 2013 19:21 GMT  ·  By

Officials working with the US Department of Justice have announced that, a few days ago, 8 turtle traffickers were arrested in Puerto Rico.

The men were found guilty of trying to sell 15 hawksbill turtles and 7 green turtles, both of which are presently listed as an endangered species.

Thus, the animals are protected by both ongoing legislation in Puerto Rico, and by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna).

To make matters even worse, these people weren't trying to sell the turtles as pets. On the contrary, the rare animals were intended for human consumption, sources say.

Now that they are in police custody, the turtle traffickers risk being prosecuted and sentenced to five years in prison, federal authorities explain.

They could also be made to pay a $250,000 (€189,825) fine.