Criminal The Butterfly Smuggler
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Feb 21, 2025 Ed Newcomer, a former special agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shares tales from his gripping undercover work against butterfly smuggling. He reveals a world where rare butterflies are worth a fortune in the collector's market. The conversation highlights the intricacies of maintaining a cover, navigating the illegal trade, and the shocking emotional complexity that arises in relationships intertwined with crime. Newcomer also delves into unexpected encounters at bug fairs and the evolving nature of wildlife trafficking.
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The Butterfly Smuggler
- Ed Newcomer, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent, investigated Yoshi Kojima, a self-proclaimed butterfly smuggler.
- Kojima was known for capturing rare butterflies in the Sierra Nevada mountains and selling them for high prices.
Butterfly Market
- There's a thriving market for everything in the wildlife world, including butterflies.
- Some butterflies can be sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars apiece.
Smuggling Method
- Kojima smuggled butterflies by hiding them in plain sight among common species.
- He would fold their wings up, concealing identifying colors and patterns.