37 replies to this topic

[Skwiggledork]

I joined a couple Facebook ant groups and long story short a guy is offering to sell me ants over state lines, which for those outside the US is illegal. What should I do about it, ignore it or try to get the guy kicked from the Facebook group or contact some federal agency or...? I mean on one hand I would usually ignore it, but on the list of species he is willing to send is S.invicta and they are destroying a lot of places across America. Thoughts?

[drtrmiller]

You can start by naming the individual and posting screenshots of the interaction in a public place. Some Facebook groups, like the Ultimate Ants & Myrmecology Facebook Group, have a zero tolerance policy for this sort of behavior. Other groups don't care so much. Either way, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

[T.C.]

Does he know it's illegal?

[drtrmiller]

Does he know it's illegal?

If he or she didn't know it was shady, he or she would post publicly in the group. Plenty of groups have people that post non-native, imported ants for sale all the time, where it's lawful to do so.

Also, ignorance of a law is never an adequate defense for breaking it.

Edited by drtrmiller, October 17 2017 - 7:05 PM.

[Skwiggledork]

Yes the person knows it is illegal. The person said "As for not being ethical, it's a fallacy. If people get to ship other insects freely why not ants?"  I added the punctuation *twitch*

[T.C.]

Honestly I have an opinion on the matter, but not one that everyone one would agree with. I really don't want to start anything.

Maybe simply tell the owner or mod of the group. I don't see any reason to involve others? All it will do is stir up trouble and cause fights. Just keep it smooth and professional. I think also if it's brought to the light, you are kind of advertising for this guy. Others are now aware of a good person to do illegal trade with and tempted ones will contact him. If I was into destroying the ecosystem, that's what I would do? It's too dangerous asking others to do it illegally, so this would just be an easy opportunity.

Edited by T.C., October 17 2017 - 9:52 PM.

[Skwiggledork]

I came to pretty much the same decision. It looks like a burner Facebook profile. No real pictures, only posts are ants he is selling, ect. I PM'd the group's mod, but otherwise just ignoring it. Hell, it could be a scammer since in the long list of what he has, he claims to have Carebara diversa in Alabama. I am a complete noob and don't know what ants are native to Alabama, but that is one I remember as not being from the US.  

[FeedTheAnts]

I came to pretty much the same decision. It looks like a burner Facebook profile. No real pictures, only posts are ants he is selling, ect. I PM'd the group's mod, but otherwise just ignoring it. Hell, it could be a scammer since in the long list of what he has, he claims to have Carebara diversa in Alabama. I am a complete noob and don't know what ants are native to Alabama, but that is one I remember as not being from the US.  

Hmmmm... ya, C.diversa is not native there. I wonder who this person could be though....

[KalenH]

This is tricky. I dislike the idea of step one being to dump the authorities on someone's life. I favor the idea of giving them the information and hoping they do the right thing with the information. Once you give them the information there isn't an easy way to see if they're doing the right thing afterwards. 

 

Maybe give people the information and then within the next couple of days make a disassociated burner account of your own to attempt to make the purchase and see if they accept or decline - then contact the authorities if necessary?

 

That is probably more responsibility than anyone would want to assume though.

[sgheaton]

If you're asking strangers on the internet about your morals, I would think that you already know the answer.

[Reevak]

Honestly I have an opinion on the matter, but not one that everyone one would agree with. I really don't want to start anything.

 

You can't say that and then not tell us. State your opinion for the audience 

[T.C.]

Honestly I have an opinion on the matter, but not one that everyone one would agree with. I really don't want to start anything.

 
You can't say that and then not tell us. State your opinion for the audience 

That was the nice version. Haha That's not want I originally was gonna say.

[Connectimyrmex]

Just don't buy them, and report the seller. For the seller, buying an exotic species like C. diversa is illegal and dangerous to the environment. Consequences may need to be given.

 

I always post this on controversial posts: My signature is not the current list of pets I have. These were from back in Hawaii. 

Also, a person in the US on this forum that you may know once offered to buy my ants before I moved for "formicarium testing". Do you want the name?

[gcsnelling]

I came to pretty much the same decision. It looks like a burner Facebook profile. No real pictures, only posts are ants he is selling, ect. I PM'd the group's mod, but otherwise just ignoring it. Hell, it could be a scammer since in the long list of what he has, he claims to have Carebara diversa in Alabama. I am a complete noob and don't know what ants are native to Alabama, but that is one I remember as not being from the US.  

You should post the Id.

[Skwiggledork]

 

I came to pretty much the same decision. It looks like a burner Facebook profile. No real pictures, only posts are ants he is selling, ect. I PM'd the group's mod, but otherwise just ignoring it. Hell, it could be a scammer since in the long list of what he has, he claims to have Carebara diversa in Alabama. I am a complete noob and don't know what ants are native to Alabama, but that is one I remember as not being from the US.  

You should post the Id.

 

 

https://www.facebook...100015204880723

[gcsnelling]

I posted on the FB page, shall see what happens.

[T.C.]

Holy... wow. Guys, Joseph Kim? That was Alabama anters real name! No need to say anymore. This is self explanatory.

 

Your illegal ant trader is Alabama anter. Why I am I not surprised?

Edited by T.C., October 18 2017 - 8:25 PM.

[nurbs]

Haha. Just clicked on that link. He's selling N. cockerellis. Don't think they exist in Alabama 

[T.C.]

Haha. Just clicked on that link. He's selling N. cockerellis. Don't think they exist in Alabama

Lol, no trust me, it's him. I don't think the chances are too high of a kid in the ant hobby, illegally trading, and has the same name, age location, and just happened to come from south korea. He just had them shipped in.

Edited by T.C., October 18 2017 - 9:37 PM.

[Serafine]

Someone should report this guy to a federal institution. He's been doing that for years and clearly won't stop until the government smacks down on him, in fact it'll only get worse. He is one of the worst repeated offenders in the entire antkeeping community and taking him out would be a vast benefit for everyone.

Edited by Serafine, October 19 2017 - 1:34 AM.