Climate

US couple sentenced for helping finance trade in rhino horn, puma bones, other wildlife parts

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 03/11/2026, 10:39:23 UTC.

Briefings

A U.S. federal court sentenced California residents Linh Luu and Kevin Le to three years of probation and fined $10,000 each for facilitating wildlife trafficking between the U.S. and Vietnam. Between September 2019 and May 2021, the couple processed $51,100 in payments for importing American black bear gall bladders and puma bones while exporting to the U.S. lion teeth, black and white rhino horn pieces, and a tiger pelt. The operation was uncovered via an undercover sting in December 2020, where Luu and Le accepted a $12,000 down payment for rhino horn in Anaheim.

Key points

• Linh Luu and Kevin Le were sentenced to three years of probation and fined $10,000 each for financial facilitation in wildlife trafficking.
• The couple processed $51,100 in payments between September 2019 and May 2021 for importing American black bear gall bladders and puma bones while exporting to the U.S.

Context

This case involved a U.S.-Vietnam wildlife trafficking scheme uncovered by an undercover sting. Trade in the species involved is restricted under CITES, and rhinos, tigers, and lions are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The operation was dismantled by federal authorities to curb wildlife crime.

Limitations

Evidence covers only the 2019-2021 period and the specific California couple; broader scope of trafficking networks or long-term impacts remain unverified.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 03/11/2026, 10:41:48 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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