Orchid Fever

Cheat!

Sony Music

True Crime, Tv & Film, Society & Culture

4.8 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 2 November 2021

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1995, a sting operation was put into action that resulted in the arrest of a smuggler less than 24 hours after he’d set foot on American soil. The sting had taken over a year to devise. The target had been Indonesian national, Harto Kolopaking and his smuggled loot: wild orchids flowers. Harto became the first person to ever face prison time in the U.S. for smuggling Orchids but his prosecution isn’t all that it seems. This is a story of the fight for survival, the critical world of conservation and begs the question, is there ever a right time to partner with the ones breaking the rules? Go to cheatpodcast.com to fill out our listener survey and tell us what you want to hear on the show! A Somethin Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Something that's...
0:09.0	Harto Cola Packing was on the flight into Los Angeles Airport.
0:13.0	He'd flown for 18 hours from Java, Indonesia.
0:17.0	Once he got off the plane at LAX, he headed over to a hotel to meet some buyers.
0:23.0	Harto had something extremely valuable with him.
0:26.0	It wasn't jewels, family heirlooms, money, or drugs.
0:31.0	It was flowers.
0:33.0	Yeah, you heard that right. Flowers.
0:37.0	Orkets to be specific.
0:39.0	You see, Harto was one of the most respected orchid traders in the world.
0:44.0	It was in his blood. His dad at Mo Cola Packing even had orchids named after him.
0:50.0	So here Harto was in LA.
0:53.0	He just arrived at the hotel, gone past reception, upgrade flights of stairs, and knocked on the door.
1:00.0	He entered the room and was greeted by a group of men and suits.
1:05.0	Harto put his bag on the bed, opened it up.
1:08.0	It was full of these orchids, beautiful tropical flowers, like something out of a painting.
1:15.0	As they all sat around talking, one of the guys asked Harto the question that was on everyone's lips.
1:22.0	How much?
1:24.0	About $13,000 replied Harto.
1:27.0	Wait a minute.
1:29.0	Yes, this dude said $13,000 for some flowers.
1:36.0	As the words left Harto's mouth, one guy got up from his seat and stepped forward to reveal his true identity.
	...

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