Lauren H. DeLoach from St. Helena Island, SC, pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones from various countries. Over two years, he conducted at least 30 shipments and sold over 85 items on eBay, mislabeling them as plastic to evade customs. Authorities seized around $20,000 worth of whale parts from his home. Sperm whales are a protected species under the Endangered Species Act, and illegal trafficking in wildlife remains a major global threat, endangering animals and contributing to organized crime.
The Lacey Act makes it unlawful to sell any wildlife that has been illegally imported, with illegal wildlife trafficking endangering protected animals and fueling organized crime.
Mr. DeLoach admitted to importing sperm whale teeth and bones from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine, labeling them as plastic to avoid detection by U.S. customs.
Sperm whales, the largest species of toothed whale, are protected under the Endangered Species Act and prized for decorations and artwork.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that illegal wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar global business, highlighting the severe consequences for both wildlife and society.
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