January 20, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Two men were indicted in California on Tuesday, accused of conspiring to smuggle ivory from endangered African elephants into the United States from Thailand.
The Justice Department said in a statement that California man Moun Chau, 50 had purchased ivory from Bangkok-based
Thai national Samart Chokchoyma, who had offered it for sale on eBay in 2006.
According to the indictment, Chau purchased ivory from Samart on multiple occasions, in one case claiming on a customs declaration that a shipment of tusks was a gift containing "toys."
The indictment accuses the men of conspiracy, illegally offering to sell endangered species, illegal importation of wildlife, entry of goods by false statement and smuggling wildlife.
Both men are accused of violating the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which the United States and Thailand are both signatories of.
If convicted, Chau faces up to 25 years in federal prison, and Samart could be sentenced to as much as 53 years in prison, the justice department said.
Chau will be summoned to appear for arraignment in Los Angeles next month. Samart was arrested in November by Thai authorities.
