A retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer who pleaded guilty of smuggling Narwhal tusks in Canada was extradited to the United States. The ex-mountie waived his rights to a detention hearing in the U.S.
Gregory Logan of New Brunswick is in U.S. custody as he awaits for his trial. He now faces charges of money laundering. Prosecutors claimed that he smuggled a total of 250 tusks worth $2 million, according to WMC Action News5. Logan allegedly took Narwhals through his vehicle across the border in Northern Maine. Similar to elephants, Narwhals' tusks are used for jewelry and carvings. They are protected by the U.S. and Canada and smuggling Narwhal tusks are strictly prohibited.
"As this case shows, wildlife trafficking can involve millions in illegal transactions, compounding the damage it does to the wealth and diversity of life on our planet," Assistant Attorney General John Cruden said in a statement from Washington, D.C.
Logan was not the only one charged with smuggling Narwhal tusks. Two U.S. citizens were also indicted for the same grounds. Andrew Zarauskas of Union, New Jersey, was sentenced to 33 months while Jay Conrad of Lakeland, Tennessee, who also pleaded guilty is waiting for the court's decision on his sentencing, ABC News reports. According to the Court papers Logan began smuggling Narwhal tusks in 2000 when he's still a Mountie.
Logan retired from his work in 2003. He was arrested and was under home detention for four months. The ex-mountie paid $350,000 fine in Canada, reported by Herald Courier. The U.S. prosecutors revealed that under the extradition agreements, smuggling Narwhal tusks charges will be dropped. They will push through with the money laundering charges instead. Investigators are investigating on the transfer of money to Canada after Logan sold the tusks in the U.S.
After the trial and Logan would be proven guilty of money laundering, he could face up to 20 years sentencing and pay fines of up to $500,000. Logan faces the largest penalty handed down in Canada over smuggling Narwhal tusks, according to reports.
