DOJ Charges Ivory Importer with Smuggling, 1 Ton Seized
The Fish and Wildlife Service and Justice Department report that the owner of a Philadelphia African art store, Victor Gordon, has been arrested on charges of conspiracy, smuggling, and Lacey Act violations related to the illegal importation and sale of African elephant ivory.
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(FWS notes that African elephants are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prevents species from becoming endangered or extinct due to international trade. The African elephant is also listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.)
One of Largest Elephant Ivory Seizures on Record
Federal agents seized approximately one ton of elephant ivory, one of the largest U.S. seizures of elephant ivory on record.
PA Store Owner Allegedly Financed Import, Faces 20 Yrs in Prison & Forfeiture
As alleged in the indictment, among other things, Gordon planned and financed the illegal importation of raw elephant ivory from Africa to the U.S. through the John F. Kennedy International Airport and sold the carvings to customers at his store in Philadelphia. If convicted, Gordon faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years' imprisonment. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of all the seized and sold ivory.
8 Others Convicted in Ongoing Investigation
This case is the result of the government's ongoing investigation into the importation of elephant ivory from Africa into the U.S., which has already resulted in the convictions of eight defendants for federal smuggling and/or Lacey Act violations.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/24/11 news, 11052433, for BP summary of a CITES task force discussion on urgent actions against elephant and rhinoceros crime.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/11/11 news, 11031153, for BP summaries of the recent convictions and imprisonment of two individuals for importing elephant ivory.)
Case background (dated 07/25/11) is available here.
(Press release dated 07/26/11)