Luxury Handbag Makers Convicted for Illegally Importing Protected Wildlife Products

Luxury Handbag Company and Founder Sentenced for Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

In a landmark case against wildlife trafficking, luxury handbag company Gzuniga Ltd. and its founder, Nancy Teresa Gonzalez de Barberi, have been sentenced to prison for illegally importing merchandise made from protected wildlife species, including caiman and python skin. The sentencing, which also included a co-conspirator, Mauricio Giraldo, marks a significant victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

The illegal activities, which spanned from February 2016 to April 2019, involved smuggling designer handbags made from caiman and python skin from Colombia to the United States. The conspirators used various means to transport the handbags, which were then sold in the U.S. for exorbitant prices.

The species involved in the illegal trade, caiman and python, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking and the need for strict adherence to laws protecting endangered species.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to protecting threatened and endangered species, both domestically and internationally. The investigation, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, involved a multi-agency effort, showcasing the collaborative efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

The sentencing of Gzuniga Ltd., Nancy Teresa Gonzalez de Barberi, and Mauricio Giraldo sends a strong message to companies and individuals engaging in illegal wildlife trade. It serves as a warning that such activities will not be tolerated, and that strict penalties will be imposed to protect endangered species and uphold conservation efforts.