9/15/98 The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reported the arrest of an international wildlife dealer and the apprehension of two other individuals on Federal charges related to the smuggling and sale of endangered and protected reptiles.

On September 14 Mexican authorities, working with USFWS, arrested Keng Liang "Anson" Wong when he arrived at the airport in Mexico City for a meeting with undercover agents in a "sting" operation. USFWS claims that Wong, who operates Sungai Rusa Wildlife in Penang, Malaysia, is the kingpin of an international smuggling operation that plundered reptiles from southeast and central Asia, New Zealand, and Madagascar for sale in the United States and other markets. Wong faces charges in the US of conspiracy, smuggling, money laundering, and making false statements as well as for 14 felony violations of the Lacey Act. He will be held in Mexico while the United States pursues formal extradition.

Following Wong's arrest in Mexico, USFWS arrested two men in the US. Beau Lee Lewis, 20, owner of a Buckeye, Arizona wildlife import/export business and Michael Burroughs, 47, a San Francisco resident who allegedly served as a courier for Wong. Both face charges of conspiracy, smuggling, and Lacey Act violations.

USFWS has also indicted the famous Hong Kong reptile dealer, Yuk Wah "Oscar" Shiu, 39, of Hong Kong, who remains at large.

Update 11/15/98 The US Fish and Wildlife Service reports that species illegally traded by Wong and others included Madagascan radiated and spider tortoises, and Indonesian Fly river turtles. USFWS seized a variety of endangered species in connection with these arrests. These include 2 Geochelone yniphora, the Madagascan plowshare tortoise that is one of the most endangered species of reptile known; 3 Burmese star tortoises, Geochelone platynota; 2 Komodo dragons and 4 Gray's monitor. These are now in custody at the Los Angeles Zoo. According to Russ Smith, the zoo's Curator of Reptiles, the animals are expected to go on display soon, once they are out of quarantine.