PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Press Release

21 June 2007
U.S. Agencies Help Nab Suspect In UK Ivory Trade Investigation

Left: A sampling of the confiscated ivory. (Photos courtesy HMRC)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) have provided critical information to help HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) arrest a British man in connection with the illegal trade and smuggling of ivory to the U.S.

Among the items thought to have been traded over a two year period are whole African elephant tusks and whale teeth.

On June 20, HMRC officers, supported by Bedfordshire Police, arrested a man aged 43 years at a residence in Barton-Le-Clay. They also executed a number of search warrants at residences in the town.

Items seized from one address included two raw elephant tusks, whale and hippopotamus teeth and carved ivory.

The smuggling and trade of ivory from the UK to the US circumvents strict controls under The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) controls. CITES is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

International Wildlife Trade

Right: A sampling of the confiscated ivory. (Photos courtesy HMRC)

Species identified in this investigation so far have been that of the African elephant and sperm whale, which are both with extinction or may be affected by international trade.

International wildlife trade is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually and to include hundreds of millions of plant and animal specimens.

The trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to a vast array of wildlife products derived from them, including food products, exotic leather goods, wooden musical instruments, timber, tourist curios and medicines.

Many wildlife species in trade are not endangered, but the existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important to safeguard these resources for the future.

(Photo courtesy HMRC)

(Photo courtesy HMRC)

(Photo courtesy HMRC)

back to top ^