When the man was caught crossing into the U.S. federal agents said he had about 60 reptiles on him — including some in his pants.
August 24, 2022, 10:06 PMAn image released by law enforcement show reptiles that Jose Manuel Perez allegedly tried to smuggle United States-Mexico border.A California man has pleaded guilty to importing wild animals into the country, federal prosecutors in Los AngelesProsecutors said Jose Manuel Perez, 30, smuggled more than 1,700 wild animals, including 60 reptiles, worth $739,000 into the U.S. and was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in February.
The wildlife, which came from Mexico and Hong Kong, included Yucatan box turtles, baby crocodiles, Mexican box turtles and beaded lizards, federal prosecutors said, and he didn't declare them through U.S. Customs or obtain the required permits through the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora .
Perez worked with others in his smuggling operation, according to federal prosecutors. His sister, Stephany Perez, 26, was allegedly involved and is scheduled to go on trial in February, prosecutors said. Jose Manuel Perez faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each count of smuggling and up to five years in prison for wildlife trafficking, according to federal prosecutors.ABC News' Alex Stone contributed to this report.
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