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4 indicted in lobster smuggling conspiracy
May 31, 2000
Web posted at: 5:29 p.m. EDT (2129 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Four people indicted in a conspiracy to smuggle
millions of dollars worth of illegally harvested Caribbean lobsters into the
United States have been arrested in Alabama, Florida and New Jersey, the
Justice Department announced Wednesday.
After the fourth defendant turned himself in, authorities unsealed an
indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Mobile last Thursday.
The government alleges a Honduran fishing fleet owner sold illegally
captured Caribbean spiny lobsters to two Florida importers who in turn sold
them to a woman with ties to three seafood companies in California, Florida and
New Jersey.
At least 15 shipments carrying hundreds of tons of lobsters contracted
for more than $2.5 million were imported at Bayou La Batre, Alabama, according
to the U.S. Attorney's office in Mobile.
The indictment also charges each of the accused conspirators with
obstruction of justice, money laundering or violating wildlife statutes in
connection with the case.
The U.S. government said the spiny lobsters were caught in Honduran
waters and violated several of that country's laws. The fleet owned by David Henson McNab of Honduras harvested the lobsters under the legal size limit and
out of season, according to the indictment.
To conceal the catch of egg-bearing lobsters, the parts of the lobster
tails to which the eggs were attached were clipped off, the indictment said.
McNab and Florida importer Robert Blandford were arrested in Miami.
Blandford's associate Abner Schoenwetter turned himself in to authorities in
Mobile. Dianne Huang, who has corporate ties to the seafood firms, was arrested
and appeared in court in Newark, New Jersey.
All have been released on bond pending arraignment in Mobile on June 7.
The FBI and IRS assisted special agents of the National Marine
Fisheries Service in investigating the case.
The federal government said the United States, as the largest importer
and consumer of Honduran spiny lobster, has a significant interest in a
commercially sustainable Honduran harvest. Honduras regulates the commercial
fishing of the lobster in order to prevent the exploitation and collapse of one
of its most important resources.
The Caribbean spiny lobster is found in salt waters from Florida to
Brazil, and comprises one of the world's largest commercial lobster fisheries.
The government said biologists believe the offspring of lobster populations off the Western Caribbean coast, including Honduras, are key sources for
replenishing the lobster stocks in the southeastern United States.
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