Tahoe City Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Newts and Turtles Into the US

Published on June 25, 2024

A Tahoe City, California, man pleaded guilty June 24 to one count of smuggling amphibians into the United States as part of an international ring, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento. Authorities say Andrew Laughlin, 47, admitted he participated as a middleman to acquire hard-to-find newts. An expert kayak guide, Mr. Laughlin owns and operates Tahoe City Kayak about 110 miles east of Sacramento on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, an alpine lake that straddles California and Nevada. Mr. Laughlin was accused of shipping or receiving at least four packages of amphibians and reptiles, including packages to and from people in Hong Kong and Sweden....

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