Man Charged With Selling Endangered Sea Turtle Eggs
West Palm Beach Man Faces Poaching-Related Charges
UPDATED: 3:04 p.m. EDT August 2, 2002
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Sea turtle eggs are getting harder to
buy in Florida, thanks to a crackdown by wildlife officials.
The turtle eggs are a delicacy some crave for their supposed
aphrodisiac potential. Until recently, officials were able to crack
down only on the people stealing eggs from the nest.
But earlier this month, officials arrested a man with a large stash
of eggs. He could be the first poacher in 20 years convicted for selling the
delicacy, authorities said.
Under an indictment released Thursday, a grand jury in West Palm
Beach charged James McGriff (pictured, above) for possessing a threatened species and
attempting to sell it. Investigators said that on July 10, the man handed a dozen eggs
over to an undercover officer for $30.
In McGriff's truck, agents found 27 bags, each containing 12 eggs. Agents also said they found a plastic bucket and other tools.
McGriff remains in jail without bond.
The turtle eggs are a delicacy some crave for their supposed
aphrodisiac potential. Until recently, officials were able to crack
down only on the people stealing eggs from the nest.
But earlier this month, officials arrested a man with a large stash
of eggs. He could be the first poacher in 20 years convicted for selling the
delicacy, authorities said.
Under an indictment released Thursday, a grand jury in West Palm
Beach charged James McGriff (pictured, above) for possessing a threatened species and
attempting to sell it. Investigators said that on July 10, the man handed a dozen eggs
over to an undercover officer for $30.
In McGriff's truck, agents found 27 bags, each containing 12 eggs. Agents also said they found a plastic bucket and other tools.
McGriff remains in jail without bond.
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