Flight attendant in turtle smuggle bungle

The turtles could have been worth more than NZ$57,825 in Asia.(file photo).
MATT REINBOLD/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The turtles could have been worth more than NZ$57,825 in Asia.(file photo).

A flight attendant for a Chinese airline has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle nearly two-dozen spotted and box turtles in a carry-on bag from Los Angeles to China.

The US Attorney's Office says Huaqian Qu, a Chinese national, entered his plea on Thursday (Friday NZT) to a charge of conspiracy.

He faces up to five years in prison when he's sentenced on July 23.

Officials say Qu and a fellow flight crew member with China Eastern Airlines tried to unlawfully export a total of 45 turtles that are protected under international trade law.

The turtles could have been worth more than US$40,000 (NZ$57,825) in Asia.

City News Service says the co-defendant is expected to plead guilty.