A man arrested on suspicion of importing snakefish

　LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A Korean merchant working in northwest Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of importing a fish that can "walk" on land and devour native species.

Sung Chul "Daniel" Rhee, 46, was taken into custody at his Koreatown market, where he allegedly sold live snakehead fish for 14.99 dollars a pound in a community where they are considered a delicacy and beneficial to pregnant women.

Rhee was arrested by agents from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, according to the US Attorney's Office.

The Glendale resident is charged with three federal counts of importing an injurious species. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Snakeheads, native to parts of Asia and Africa, are illegal in the United States because they can decimate native species if released into the wild.

+News source is fromYahoo!

Posted by DODGE at May 20, 2004 11:41 AM in alien species issue