I have never met this individual. However, I and others are in a position where we continually justify (and argue) the existence of this hobby to lawmakers, PIJAC, AVMA, Fish and Game, State DNR's, Universities, and others,------ who have plenty of influence to decrease or eliminate the Marine and Freshwater livestock trade in the USA. This hurts our case, period.
All poaching is negative, but when it happens by a large Wholesaler and past president of an organization (AMDA) who's job was to promote the industry, this is devastating. These Clippertons were DEAD shortly after the smuggling incident, some died in California after an effort by experts to save them.
Like I mentioned, I have never personally met the smuggler involved. I know nothing of his character, just his business practices.
Race Foster, D.V.M.