Chinese businessman guilty of selling prohibited Sea Cucumbers overseas

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 14 SEPTEMBER 2022: Information Prosecution provided for court to make a decision in sentencing Chinese businessman Quingping Yan, revealed he was making millions of dollars from selling prohibited sea cucumbers and other species to Hong Kong and China.

Prosecution’s estimate presented before District Court Judge Leota Raymond Schuster when Yan appeared for sentencing was that the sea cucumber’s street value in Hong Kong was US$2 million and in China $1 million.

Yan is charged with one count of exporting prohibited sea cucumbers and one count of bribery.

After perusing the Prosecution’s estimates, Leota wanted to know how the Prosecution arrived at their estimated value.

Prosecutor Fuifui Ioane informed the Court that they received information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and also from the Ministry of Customs.

The maximum penalty for such an offence is ST$300,000 and Prosecution is asking the Court for a ST$50,000 fine against Yan.

However, given the estimated value presented before the Court, Judge Leota asked the Prosecution if they wanted to change their positions with regards to the fine.

“Do you want to go higher or lower,” asked Judge Leota.

Prosecution asked for time to double check their figures and was granted.

The matter was adjourned to 14 October for the Court’s decision.

Yan is originally from China and has been in Samoa for 6 years and is a partner in various investments in Samoa including a supermarket and a restaurant at Vaitele.