A judge arraigned a man on charges of conspiracy, smuggling, and unlawful importation of wildlife Thursday after he tried to bring air bladders from an endangered fish into the US form Mexico.
Byung Cheoul Kim,51, and several others conspired to smuggle approximately 300 air bladders of the endangered Totoaba macdonaldi across the border last year.
Co-conspirator Tony Ahn was stopped at the border on May 8, 2014. Officials found eight air bladders concealed in his car, which was allegedly registered to Kim.
They planned to eventually sell the bladders in Asia where they are highly valued in specialty soups, for medicinal purposes and to improve skin. Bladders can sell for $10,000 to $20,000 on the overseas market.
Indigenous only to the Gulf of California, Totoaba macdonaldi are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Ahn pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of wildlife. Kim has been released on a $60,000 bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court again November 24.
