The story *is true*. It is a very unfortunate situation. I am sorry
that the BACPS was involved in the news story.
> He and two others, including the society president, plead guilty to
> conspiring to import endangered plants, and face up to two years in
> prison.
The person mentioned above was a *past* president. The current
president is *not* involved in any way.
The persons involved are planning to speak at the next BACPS meeting to
inform members of the situation, and to discourage other collectors from
attempting to smuggle plants in the future. They are facing possible
jail terms, stiff fines, and will likely be required to perform several
hundred hours of community service time.
The next BACPS meeting has been moved one week later than the previously
published date. It will be held at Lincoln Middle School in Alameda
from 11-4 on Saturday, May 13. I will summarize the talk to the net as
appropriate.
Best regards,
-- Rick Walker