'Lucky' Fish Trafficker Not So Lucky After Guilty Plea: COURT

GARDEN GROVE, CA — Though the fish are supposedly good luck, that wasn't the case for this Orange County man. On Wednesday, Shawn Naolu Lee, a 29-year-old Garden Grove man pleaded guilty a federal charge of illegally importing protected Asian arowana fish. The expensive freshwater aquarium variety is thought in some cultures to bring luck, prosperity and health and is protected by the Endangered Species Act. Arowana fish cannot legally be brought into the United States, according to the Department of Justice.

Lee is scheduled to be sentenced July 23 in downtown Los Angeles on the single felony count, where prosecutors are recommending six months of house arrest.

Lee and co-defendant Mickey Tanadi, who was located in Indonesia, were indicted last year in connection with the discovery of a parcel containing eight arowanas imported and received from Indonesia. Arowanas -- also known as "arrows" and "dragon fish" -- sell on the black market for as much as $1,000 each.

In some Asian communities, the fish is thought to bring wealth and protection to businesses, and some owners believe the fish can understand their thoughts.

Court papers show that the fish were hidden in plastic bags placed in porcelain pots. In a sting operation, Lee signed for delivery of the DHL international parcel on Feb. 10, 2017, at the home of his parents, where he was living.

A search of the residence turned up more than $15,000 in cash in Lee's room, which prosecutors determined were proceeds of the defendant's illegal wildlife sales.

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