Federal prosecutors say a California couple traffics protected wildlife parts between the United States and Vietnam, including bear gallbladders and large-cat items. The Los Angeles Times reports the couple pleaded guilty, while The Oregonian says they are sentenced.
According to coverage, the couple’s conduct involved transporting items through Oregon. The Los Angeles Times and The New York Post both describe shipments that went between Oregon and Vietnam, with the American-side materials including bear gallbladders and cougar bones, and with the Vietnam-side trafficking involving lion teeth and other protected wildlife parts. The New York Post adds further examples of items allegedly brought into Oregon, such as rhino horn and a tiger pelt, alongside lion teeth and other components.
The Oregonian provides additional detail on the investigation’s financial aspect, saying the defendants pocketed more than $51,000 by helping traffic the parts over several years. Across outlets, the shared core is an illegal wildlife trading operation moving endangered parts between the U.S. and Vietnam, with Oregon connected to the route.
