Woman sentenced for importing and selling python skin accessories
A woman who illegally sold fashion accessories made of python skin online has been sentenced.
Stephanie Scolaro, 26 was sentenced to a Community Order at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 21 January. She must carry out 160 hours of unpaid work within the next two years.
Scolaro previously pleaded guilty to the offences relating to the illegal import and sale of python skin at the same court on Friday, 14 December.
The court heard how on Monday, 7 November 2016 a parcel was seized at Leipzig Airport by German Customs Officers containing ten python skin hats and two bags.
The parcel was intended to be sent to Scolaro at her parents address in Mayfair.
Officers from the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit were alerted to the incident by UK Border Force and an investigation commenced.
Enquiries established that Scolaro operated an online company named ‘SS-Python.com’ selling python skin hats, bags, chokers and mobile phone covers.
On Wednesday, 8 March 2017 officers attended an address in Baker Street where Scolaro had been living and seized a further five hats.
As a result, Scolaro attended a police station where she was voluntarily interviewed in relation to the illegal import/sale of python skin items.
Her products were subsequently discovered for sale at three London shops; two in Mayfair and one in Bexleyheath. The owners of these businesses were made aware and the products were seized.
On Thursday, 11 October 2018 Scolaro was charged with two counts of importing goods with the intention to evade prohibition and four counts of keeping for sale specimens of species imported / acquired unlawfully.
Detective Constable Sarah Bailey, from the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “Pythons are one of many species protected under CITES*, an international treaty to protect endangered plants and animals [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.]
“Any trade outside of the legal framework could threaten the conservation status of the remaining wild population and contribute to its decline in the wild.
“We will continue to enforce the regulations in place and work to protect these species when offences are discovered.
“This is a fine example of multiple agencies, comprising the Met, UK Border Force, Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee working together toward a common goal.”
Source ( Met Police Press Release)