Fashion designer Nancy Gonzalez, known for her celebrity clientele and luxury accessories, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling python and caiman handbags into the United States. Gonzalez’s arrest in 2022 revealed a multiyear operation involving couriers transporting merchandise on commercial flights. Prosecutors emphasized the impact of her actions on wildlife conservation, while Gonzalez’s attorneys highlighted her journey as a successful female entrepreneur. The case raises questions about the balance between commercial interests and the protection of endangered species.