Auckland couple sentenced for crayfish smuggling

A couple, Siisavaii Lelei Faavaoga, 32, and Lance Lejdor Dela Cruz, 35, engaged in an illegal crayfish selling operation, receiving 849 stolen live crays air-trafficked from Dunedin between April 22 and September 30, 2024. Despite suspecting the illegality of their actions, they continued due to greed. Faavaoga’s brother, Paul Faavaoga, was involved in the trafficking and warned her about the severe penalties if caught. The couple’s defense highlighted their awareness of the risks from the beginning.

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