Investigators with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday seized a large amount of illegal animal parts suspected of being trafficked by a business in Los Angeles County.
During the investigation, CDFW officials recovered what they believe to be at least nine rhino horns, thousands of pieces of elephant ivory, tusks, and a sea turtle shell.
All pieces are being sent to a lab to be tested and identified, according to CDFW.
“California was among the first to take a stand against the ivory trade, and our commitment has not wavered,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement. “These operations send a clear message that we will continue to hold accountable those who profit from the destruction of wildlife. The global demand for ivory and rhino horn fuels poaching and organized crime, and California will not serve as a marketplace for these endeavors.”
It’s unclear if any arrests were made.
Assembly Bill 96 went into law in July 2016 and prohibits the purchase or sale of products containing ivory from animals including elephant tusks, warthog tusks, whale tusks and others.