Los Angeles International Airport Officials Confiscate Over 4,000 Illegal Wildlife Contraband

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) unveiled a stunning statistic of the number of illegally smuggled wildlife items that have been intercepted at the airport in the last few months. In partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), officials seized more than 4,000 animal and plant products at LAX’s mail facility since the beginning of the fiscal year.

From crocodile skulls, to kangaroo meat, and butterflies, the items violate wildlife laws, regulations, and international endangered species conventions. Many products reportedly arrived from several parts of the world.

From at least eight different countries

The CBP said on Friday that officials have detained 4,227 animal and plant items since October 1, 2023. They were confiscated after arriving in individual air mail packages from Australia, China, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Vietnam. From LAX, the contraband were expected to be transported to “addresses all over the United States.”

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

Cheryl M. Davies, the CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, spoke about global wildlife trafficking.

“CBP agriculture specialists are the frontline in the fight against the global trafficking of protected wildlife and plant species. Every single day, they bring their natural sciences knowledge, expertise and unique skills to identify, intercept and seized suspected shipments.”

Confiscated items

According to the CBP, the seized products over the months include:

• Belts and wallets made with animal skins
• Crocodile skulls
• Jerky
• Taxidermy baby crocodiles
• Turtle skins
• Kangaroo meat
• Tails
• Ears
• Elephant toenails
• Butterflies
• Peacock feathers
• Seashells
• Coral
• Sea cucumbers
• Shark cartilages
• Sand sea lion oil gel caps

“Illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable natural resource crimes,” said Andrew H. Douglas, CBP Port Director at LAX. “It encompasses the harvesting and selling of wildlife, and wildlife products, to be used as medicine, fashion, food, or pets sold to consumers.”

“Unlawful exploitation of nature’s valuable resources

The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement is responsible for regulating the international movement of wildlife throughout the US. The agency strives to conserve, protect, and enhance the habitats of fish, wildlife, and plants, as they benefit US citizens.

Read More

Bizarre: Mummified Monkeys Seized By US Customs In Boston

The monkey remains were brought to Boston on a flight from Paris, where a passenger boarded a connecting flight from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Edward Grace, the Assistant Director of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement, commented on the office’s dedicated work.

“The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement’s Wildlife Inspection Program meticulously inspects shipments of known and suspected wildlife to facilitate its legal trade and interdict illegal shipments of wildlife before they enter or leave the country. Their diligent work safeguards protected species of wildlife and upholds laws and regulations protecting against the unlawful exploitation of nature’s valuable resources.”

CBP officials want all travelers to be reminded of the current regulations regarding wildlife conservation. The agency mentions that people traveling abroad will find several wildlife plant products for sale around the world. However, just because an item is for sale does not mean it is legal to import.

Last year, Simple Flying reported that wildlife smuggling was on the rise. This news came after CBP officials detected a dolphin skull in a checked bag at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Read Next

US Customs Agents Locate Dolphin Skull In Checked Luggage

The incident is reportedly part of a rising trend in wildlife smuggling since last year.