i think if you were to break that article down into segments you wouldnt be very suprised at any of the statements and just shrug it off.
if you then consider that this is one journalist of some paper looking for a story reporting about another story printed in another paper (usually based on an "unconfirmed source") and adding bits in then, its even less important.
try replacing the words "was caught with" with the words "owned/owns" and delete the word illegal and the article is probably more accurate.
"
A man from Long Island was caught with [owns] the most impressive collection of animals, which included a king snake, lemur, hedgehog, marmoset, sloth, and a coati, a raccoon-type animal, all of which he brought to a child's birthday party in Manhattan's Upper East Side,
New York City records show."
"
Health Department records show that more than 24 people in New York *were caught will the illegal *[own] exotic animals, including stingrays, scorpions, snakes and a sloth the New York Post reported."
"
New York City inspectors busted more than 24 people for
allegedly keeping, selling or displaying exotic animals that are illegal to own."
im not about to check if any of the above animals are actually "illegal" based on what one journalist says after reading another journalists story about god knows what but tbh im shocked that without actual evidence any of you guys are taking it seriously.
there was an article over here last year about giant cat killing rats breeding on wasteland near me and tbh nobody batted an eyelid. to back up that story was another story days after that said its possible and was confirmed by **** . and then another with a pic of one of the dead giant rats (held out in front at arms length by a very short bloke

).
i think i would wait until there is written conformation from a decent source before you guys up sticks and move or start panic selling your rays.
unless your sending them to me because if thats the case then its all absolutely 100% true and i had it confirmed by an unconfirmed source who was speaking to a guy in the lfs who works part time and was covering in the fish department. he also said there could be a fine if you sell them anywhere other than the uk.
all i can add is that it must be a slow news week over there atm