A famous designer is sentenced to prison in Miami for making luxury bags with the skins of protected animals

The famous Colombian designerNancy Gonzalez She was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Florida, United States, for importing bags made from the skins of protected animals.

During aaudience in Miami, González, known for her exclusive designs used by celebrities such as Salma Hayek and Victoria Beckham, admitted to having smuggled bags made withalligator and python skins from Colombia.

These animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement to which both the United States and Colombia are adherents.

González, 71, was extradited to the United States in August 2023, after her arrest in July of the previous year in Cali, Colombia.

Before yourjudgment, the designer served 14 months in prison for these charges. He is accused of having organized a network that involved friends, family and employees of his manufacturing company in Colombia to transport the bags clandestinely.

Once in the United States, the bags were delivered to their showroom in Manhattan, New York, where they were sold to luxury boutiques. These events occurred between February 2016 and April 2019.

The designer was a client of prestigious stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and 300 other high-end boutiques. The "Nancy González" bags sold for more than $2,000 each, they were a symbol of status and luxury.

At the hearing, González's defense asked Judge Robert N. Scola to consider his sentence as already served, given his age and the time he had spent in prison.

They presented González as a divorced mother and businesswoman who took on giants of the fashion industry, highlighting her success and the adversities she overcame.

However, the prosecution refuted these arguments, maintaining that González was fully aware of his illegal actions, which directly benefited his company.

Before receiving her sentence, the designer offered an emotional apology to the people and government of the United States, expressing her remorse and explaining that the decisions she made were under pressure.

This ruling highlights the serious consequences of violating international species protection regulations and highlights the efforts of authorities to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.