California couple convicted after plane chat leads to animal trafficking bust

Couple unwittingly revealed to state wildlife agents that they were transporting the remains of a protected sea turtle

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A California couple learned the hard way that discussing their travel plans with strangers can have dire consequences, especially when those plans involve transporting the remains of a protected sea turtle in their carry-on luggage.

More than a year ago, two officers from the California department of fish and wildlife (CDFW) were flying back to northern California from San Diego, dressed in plain clothes, and struck up a conversation with a couple seated nearby who were discussing hunting.