Hayward Man Indicted for Fish Smuggling
- A man from Hayward has been indicted for allegedly smuggling tropical fish to buyers in Southeast Asia.
- The indictment was issued by a federal grand jury in San Francisco.
- This event highlights ongoing issues related to wildlife trafficking.
A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted Futseng "Dale" Chen, a 53-year-old Hayward resident, along with his company, Sealogic International, Inc., on charges of smuggling tropical fish and violating the Lacey Act. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that the Lacey Act prohibits the export of fish that are possessed, transported, or sold in violation of U.S. laws. Chen is accused of submitting false export records and failing to file necessary documentation for shipments of live tropical fish to buyers in Asia. The indictment alleges that since 2020, Chen and Sealogic did not properly declare shipments of tropical fish to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, particularly for exports to a buyer in Hong Kong. Furthermore, it is claimed that they knowingly filed false export declarations, which are legally required to ensure the safe and proper import and export of wildlife. Chen was arrested on Thursday and made his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Lisa J. Cisneros. He was released on bond and is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on September 13. If convicted of smuggling, Chen could face up to 10 years in prison, while a conviction for false labeling under the Lacey Act could result in a five-year sentence. Both Chen and Sealogic could face substantial financial penalties, with maximum fines of $250,000 and additional restitution and forfeiture, alongside potential probationary terms.