Philadelphia African art dealer arrested for ivory smuggling

July 2011. The owner of an African art store in Philadelphia, Victor Gordon, has been arrested on charges of conspiracy, smuggling and Lacey Act violations related to the illegal importation and sale of African elephant ivory. As part of the government's investigation, federal agents seized approximately one ton of elephant ivory - one of the largest U.S. seizures of elephant ivory on record.

According to the charges, Gordon paid a co-conspirator to travel to Africa to purchase raw elephant ivory and have it carved to Gordon's specifications. In advance of the trips, Gordon provided the co-conspirator with photographs or other depictions of ivory carvings, which served as templates for the ivory carvers in Africa, and directed the co-¬conspirator to stain or dye the elephant ivory so that the specimens would appear old. Gordon then planned and financed the illegal importation of the ivory from Africa to the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport and sold the carvings to customers at his store in Philadelphia.

Ivory from Central & West Africa
Illegal trade in African elephant ivory is a major threat to elephant populations in Africa, particularly in the hardest hit poaching regions of West and Central Africa, where the ivory in this investigation originated. African elephants are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ("CITES").

Carved ivory and ivory tusks seized during the investigation. Credit: Bill Butcher/USFWS

Ivory trade continues
The global demand for elephant ivory led to devastating declines in the number of these giant animals, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite international efforts to control the ivory trade and stop the decline of elephant populations, prices and demand remain high, causing continued elephant poaching and illegal ivory finding its way into international and domestic markets.

More than 1 ton of ivory

"The amount of the elephant ivory allegedly plundered in this case is staggering and highlights the seriousness of the charged crimes. We all have a responsibility to protect endangered species, both for their sake and for the sake of our own future generations," stated United States Attorney Lynch. "We will continue to investigate vigorously and prosecute those who illegally engage in trade involving endangered and threatened species."

"Illegal ivory trafficking jeopardizes the survival of an imperilled species and undermines decades worth of efforts to conserve African elephants. With this investigation, we've shown our commitment to tracking down profiteers who deal in black market ivory in the United States," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent-in-Charge Amato.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years' imprisonment. The indictment also seeks forfeiture all the seized and sold ivory.

The government's ongoing investigation into the importation of elephant ivory from Africa into the United States has already resulted in the convictions of eight defendants for federal smuggling and/or Lacey Act violations.

These items were among the one ton of ivory seized by Service special agents during their investigation of Victor Gordon's smuggling schemes and U.S. business deals.Credit: Bill Butcher / USFWS