Texas cactus smuggler pleads guilty

El Paso (WBAP/KLIF) – An accused plant smuggler has pleaded guilty to being part of a West Texas ring that smuggled rare Living Rock cacti, a plant that wildlife officials say is a protected species. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas says Harry Bock II, of El Paso, pleaded guilty in Pecos to one count of mislabeling exports in a scheme to ship cacti overseas. The government seized Bock’s shipment of 41 cacti at an international mail facility in Chicago. As a result of his plea agreement Bock faces three years of probation, and must pay $7,200 in restitution.