Singapore Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Jail for Illegally Smuggling Wildlife

Orlando, Florida - Today, U.S. District Judge John Antoon II, sentenced Lawrence Wee Soon Chye, age 38, to 37 months incarceration for his role in smuggling several hundred protected reptiles into and out of the United States in 2002 and 2003. In addition, he forfeited over $2,300 of U.S. currency, $9,000 of Thai currency, a camera and a computer to the Federal government. Chye, a resident of Singapore, was arrested on June 28, 2003 shortly after arriving in Orlando to meet with buyers of the smuggled animals. He pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy, smuggling and false-labeling charges in September 2003.