(FOX40.COM)-- A resident of Tahoe City in Northern California has actually pleaded guilty to a single count of smuggling amphibians into the United States, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

The DOJ said that the guy was part of an international amphibian smuggling ring and admitted that he signed up with the operation to get ‘‘ hard-to-find amphibians.'

The guy had actually delivered or received a minimum of 4 bundles of amphibians, a few of which were to or from people located in Hong Kong or Sweden, and the plans were falsely identified as toys or "ceramic art piece," the DOJ said.

What the bundles actually contained were animals such as Eastern Box turtles, found turtles, fire tummy news, Asian warty amphibians and amphibians native to California, the DOJ stated.

Some shipments included types prohibited from being brought into the United States because of the damage they might give communities and natural resources.

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The DOJ said that a search of the man's home found 81 live amphibians, some of which tested positive for Bd, a fungi with origins in Asia that is spread out through the unlawful family pet trade.

The guy is arranged to be sentenced in October 2024, and as part of his plea contract, he will "pay restitution for the expenses of taking care of and evaluating the seized amphibians," and will take part in a public education project about the damages of prohibited trafficking, the DOJ said.