The Unusual World of Butterfly Smuggling

Yoshi Kojima exploited the lucrative market for rare butterflies by illegally collecting and selling them from national parks across the U.S. He discreetly shipped these butterflies, often using techniques to conceal their identity from customs officials. By pinning the butterflies in envelopes with their wings folded, he could mislead inspectors, as the colors and patterns crucial for identification were not visible. This process allowed Kojima to sell endangered species for exorbitant prices, sometimes fetching up to $10,000 per butterfly, making the illegal butterfly trade a surprisingly high-stakes endeavor.