Officials with the United States Customs Service searched Voronina's bags and discovered 25 plastic containers of caviar. As part of this smuggling, Voronina failed to declare the caviar to the Customs Service, and, in fact, filled out a signed declaration stating she did not have any such items. Caviar comes from sturgeon, which is a fish species threatened with extinction.
Sturgeon is protected under both United States law and international treaties.
When questioned by Customs officials at LAX about why she was bringing so much caviar into the United States, Voronina stated that it was for an upcoming children's birthday party. Judge Wilson is scheduled to sentence Voronina on March 19. At the time of sentence, Voronina faces a maximum possible penalty of five years in federal prison. This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Customs Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Return to the 2001 Press Release Index.