24/05/2005 - A Toronto
man was arrested in New York City on May 12
for allegedly selling endangered species products
containing elephant ivory and parrot feather
ornaments to U.S. wildlife officers in New
York. Mark J. Gleberzon, age 36, of 28 Larchmount
Avenue, Toronto, Ontario was arrested by United
States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
special agents at LaGuardia International
Airport while attempting to board a return
flight to Canada.
Following arraignment on numerous felony
charges including smuggling endangered animal
products into the United States in person
and via mail and courier, Mr. Gleberzon was
released on a US$500,000 bond and a probation
order which restricts his travel to the Greater
Toronto Area and federal court in Buffalo,
New York.
The arrest concluded a 17-month investigation
jointly undertaken by the USFWS and officers
of the Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife
Service (CWS) stationed in Burlington, Ontario.
Officials of both countries are concerned
about the increased use of the Internet to
support illegal trade in wildlife specimens
and products.
CWS officers, with the assistance of the
Canada Border Services Agency, executed a
search warrant at Mr. Gleberzon’s residence
last Thursday, timed to coincide with his
arrest. Numerous artifacts made from endangered
species parts and documents containing evidence
of the alleged offences were seized at that
time.
Mr. Gleberzon faces numerous charges in Canada
under the Wild Animal Plant Protection and
Regulation of International and Interprovincial
Trade Act and the Migratory Birds Convention
Act in addition to the charges in the United
States. Persons convicted of offences under
these statutes face maximum fines of $150,000
and $100,000 respectfully, or imprisonment
for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
