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A succulent smuggling ring has reportedly been uncovered in the US.
According to a news release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife three men have allegedly been accused of poaching more than 2,300 Dudleya succulent plants in Humboldt County.
“It took us a while to figure out what was going on, because this has never really happened before,” Capt. Patrick Foy of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife told Capital Public Radio.
Dudleya is a genus of succulent perennials, consisting of about 45 species in southwest North America and are very valuable in countries like Japan, China and Korea, selling for around $50 each, The Tribune reports.
Authorities estimate the plants’ market value at more than $90,000.
Experts have replanted the plants in the areas they were removed from.
“We have seen a remarkable amount of concern over this from botanists and the public alike,” said David Bess, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement, in a news release. “A public tip started this investigation and ultimately uncovered an international conspiracy to poach Dudleya succulents and ship them overseas for profit.”
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