Art Appraiser Pleads Guilty to Ivory Smuggling Conspiracy Charges
A Texas Asian art appraiser pleaded guilty in federal court June 24 for his role in a rhino and ivory smuggling conspiracy, said a Justice Department press release. Ning Qiu, an antique appraiser for seven years, was identified through joint effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DOJ. "Qiu admitted to acting as one of the three antique dealers in the United States paid by Zhifei Li, the admitted “boss” of the conspiracy," who was recently sentenced to 70 months in prison (see 14052820), said DOJ.
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Qiu purchased and smuggled at least five raw rhinoceros horns to Hong Kong by "first wrapping them in duct tape, hiding them in porcelain vases and falsely describing them on customs and shipping documents, including by labeling them as porcelain vases or handicrafts," said the release. "As part of the plea agreement, having considered Qiu’s cooperation and assistance in securing a conviction for Li, the government agrees to recommend to the sentencing judge that Qiu serve a 25-month prison sentence and pay a $150,000 fine."