California couple sentenced for smuggling lion teeth, rhino horn and other wildlife parts
Linh Luu and Kevin Le of Anaheim pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act for moving illegal wildlife items between the United States and Vietnam, receiving probation and fines.
Anaheim residents Linh Luu and Kevin Le were convicted in federal court for breaching the Lacey Act by participating in an international wildlife trafficking network that moved endangered animal parts between Oregon and Vietnam. Court documents show they handled payments totaling over $50,000 to support the illegal shipments, which included black bear gallbladders and cougar bones exported to Vietnam and lion teeth, rhino horns and a tiger pelt imported to Oregon.
During an undercover operation in December 2020, they received $12,000 for a rhino horn and discussed methods to circumvent U.S. banking rules. The trafficked items fall under CITES protections. Both received three years of probation and were each fined $10,000. The case follows other recent wildlife crime prosecutions, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal trade.
Why it matters
It underscores U.S. enforcement against illegal wildlife trade that threatens endangered species.
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