The defendant allegedly poached 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles, 100 stripe-neck musk turtles and 15 striped mud turtles, court records show.

PHOENIX — A Louisiana man is being held in custody in Arizona for allegedly poaching and selling over 1,800 turtles, according to the Department of Justice. 

According to the indictment, Bazaar allegedly poached 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles, 100 stripe-neck musk turtles and 15 striped mud turtles from Florida and illegally sold the turtles to a San Francisco exporter. 

All species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The turtles were all allegedly taken from their native habitats in Florida during poaching trips taken by Bazaar. The DOJ alleges that the exporter financed these trips by buying Bazaar a boat and a van. 

According to the DOJ, once the turtles were sold to the exporter, the animals were then brought to Taiwan. The estimated worth of the turtles in the Asian pet trade is $550,000. 

Bazaar faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each charge if convicted. 

A judge in Arizona ordered for Bazaar to be temporarily detained pending further proceedings. His next status conference will be May 14 in Phoenix. 

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