A Canadian man allegedly caught with 51 live turtles stuffed down his pants as he tried to re-enter Canada from the U.S. was denied bail in Detroit on Friday.
According to U.S. federal court documents, Mr. Kai Xu, 26, was stopped as he attempted to cross into Windsor, Ont. from Detroit in August.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say he had 41 turtles taped to his legs and 10 hidden between them.
The turtles — which included different species including eastern box turtles, red-eared sliders and diamondback terrapins — were returned to U.S. authorities.
Xu and Toronto-area resident Lihua Lin, 30, were in court in Detroit Thursday. Xu was charged with smuggling, illegal trading and exporting and could face up to 10 years in prison.
Federal agents described him as a “known reptile smuggler”.
He is scheduled to appear in Detroit’s bail court Friday. Meanwhile, Lin has been released on $10,000 bail.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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