The Sea Cucumber Scandal: Pierce County Seafood Processor Pleads Guilty
Listen
The owner of a seafood processing company in Pierce County, Washington, has pleaded guilty in a case involving the illegal sale of sea cucumbers, leathery creatures that are considered a delicacy to eat in some cultures.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Hoon Namkoong ran Orient Seafood Production. He was charged with underreporting by a 250,000 pounds the amount of sea cucumbers he bought from tribal and non-tribal fishermen in Puget Sound.
Prosecutors say Namkoong processed and sold the sea cucumbers to buyers in the U.S. and Asia for approximately $1.5 million. They also say the scam resulted in the overharvesting of sea cucumbers.
As part of a plea deal, Namoong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, a federal law designed to protect fish, wildlife and plants. His sentencing is scheduled for July.
Last year, a father and son in San Diego were indicted for smuggling $17 million worth of sea cucumbers.
Copyright 2018 Northwest News Network
Related Stories:
Juez federal ordena a centrales lecheras de condado de Yakima analizar pozos y agua potable
Un juez federal del este de Washington concedió una orden judicial preliminar en una demanda que involucra a más de diez productores lácteos del condado de Yakima.
Federal judge orders Yakima County dairies to test wells, drinking water
A federal judge in Eastern Washington granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit that
involves over ten Yakima County dairy producers.
DOJ’s Regional Outreach program will strengthen investigation of MMIP cases in eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is part of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program recently announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. The program will provide more resources and specialized support to address the crisis in the Northwest.
