Billionaire Tamir Sapir Yacht Seized

Tamir Sapir, the $1.9 billion dollar Russian mogul had his yacht seized off the coast of Miami after customs agents found rare animals dead at the bottom of his vessel. The government is fining Sapir $150,000 for his possession of these rare animals.

It is illegal to traffic exotic animals to and from the United States without the proper licensing. My question is, what is he doing bringing dead lions and tigers to America? US District Attorney Alex Acosta had the same questions and said this about the situation, “Personally, I think these items are rather creepy items. And I would not want them in my house, but some people like them and are willing to buy them. The reason laws exist is because there is a market.”

Even though I don’t agree, I understand why poachers kill elephants and fashion designers kill Chinchillas, but shipping dead exotic animals? I guess if your trying to get the lion’s head rug, like the one on Coming to America, but even that is ridiculous.