Mahesh Kumar, a 52-year-old man from Great Barr, Birmingham, attempted to smuggle 80 alligator heads through East Midlands Airport to sell them on eBay. Initially, Kumar purchased one alligator head during a visit to the United States for personal use. However, after friends and family expressed interest, he began acquiring more heads to sell and make extra income.
Despite mislabeling the packages, Border Force officials intercepted three parcels containing 20 alligator heads each on February 7, 2021. A further parcel with 20 more heads was seized three days later. Kumar did not obtain the necessary import permits for these shipments, leading to charges of fraudulently evading a prohibition.
A former chef who now relies on benefits due to ongoing health problems, Kumar pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal importation. His solicitor explained that Kumar’s partner, an American citizen, had introduced him to the alligator heads, which sparked the selling venture on eBay.
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At Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, District Judge David Wain described the case as unusual, noting that alligator heads are typically by-products of leather farming, and their sale is lawful in some parts of the US. However, American alligators are a protected species under UK law, and unlicensed importation could threaten conservation efforts.
Judge Wain sentenced Kumar to 16 weeks suspended for 12 months, along with 20 days of rehabilitation activity and a £128 victim surcharge. The judge took into account significant prosecution delays, Kumar’s health issues, and his clean record over the past four years. He warned Kumar that any future attempts to smuggle prohibited items would likely result in immediate imprisonment.