A woman caught trying to smuggle carvings and ornaments made from endangered species through YVR has been fined $75,000.
According to federal government Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada, which enforces conservation laws, Xiu Mei Cui pleaded guilty this week to two charges under the law regulating the trade of plants and animals. In October 2014, Cui was caught with the items, which were made from African and Asian elephants, lion, white rhinoceros and hawksbill turtle.
She was also caught trying to illegally import jewelry, which was undeclared to Canada Border Services at the airport.
The Ministry said Cui is also banned for two years from importing items listed on the Convention of the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Most of the $75,000 fine, according to the ministry, will go to the government’s environmental damages fund.
