Colombian bag designer Nancy Gonzalez, whose eponymous luxury bags are sold at major fashion retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrod’s and Tsum, has now been extradited to the United States following her arrest in Colombia last year. The 78-year-old is accused of smuggling handbags made from the skin of protected animals. In total, there are said to be over 200 products made from caiman and python skins, which she is said to have been involved in smuggling.
According to press reports, the contraband was brought to the USA by people on scheduled flights from Colombia to New York. These people are said to have been paid for the transport. Now Gonzalez has been extradited to the United States along with her business partner Diego Mauricio Rodriguez.
In the USA she faces a prison sentence of 25 years.