NATION NOW

Alligator racketeering ring busted in (where else?) Florida

Chad Gillis
The News-Press

In what might be the most Florida story of the week, a group of Southwest Florida men were arrested by state wildlife officials and charged in what is being referred to as an alligator racketeering ring.

Nine people were arrested for 44 alligators. Investigators say they saw more than 10,000 illegal eggs sold.

 

Charges include illegal possession of alligators, illegal egg harvesting, interstate transport of alligator eggs and hatchlings, falsifying official records, dealing in stolen property, conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering and other wildlife violations, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records.

“Many of these suspects were part of a criminal conspiracy,” said Grant Burton, head of the FWC’s investigations section. “Their crimes pose serious environmental and economic consequences. These suspects not only damage Florida’s valuable natural resources, they also harm law-abiding business owners by operating black markets that undermine the legal process.”

Wildlife officers went undercover to become a part of the alligator farming industry in 2015, according to FWC. Their findings led to the arrests.

Overall, nine people were arrested for 44 alligators. To see a full list of those arrested, view the story on the The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press.

Investigators say they saw more than 10,000 illegal eggs sold.

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