German man charged with smuggling RP coral

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – A German man has been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 40 tons of coral illegally harvested off the coast of the Philippines.

Gunther Wenzek, owner of Cora Pet in Essen, Germany, appeared in federal court Friday in Alexandria, Virginia, after his arrest Wednesday at Washington’s Dulles International Airport. He was on his way to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida.

The indictment alleges that Wenzek tried to smuggle the coral through the port in Portland, Oregon.

The coral allegedly came from the Philippines, which bans all coral exports. US laws ban importation of wildlife harvested in violation of foreign laws. He is expected to face trial in Portland. – AP