BANGOR, MAINE— A jury on Friday found a 60-year-old Union, N.J. man guilty of illegally trafficking and smuggling narwhal tusks, conspiracy and money laundering, federal prosecutors said.
Andrew L. Zarauskas, 60, of Union, N.J., purchased about 33 narwhal tusks that he knew were illegally imported to the United States, federal officials said. The narwhal is a medium-sized whale with an extremely long tusk that projects from its upper left jaw, often referred to as the unicorn of the sea.
The marine mammals narwhals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Zarauskas is facing up to 20 years behind bars, a sentencing date has not yet been set, officials said.
From 2002 to 2008, Zarauskas knowingly purchased approximately 33 narwhal tusks that he knew were illegally imported into the United States in violation of federal law.
A narwhal is a medium-sized whale with an extremely long tusk that projects from its upper left jaw, often referred to as the unicorn of the sea. As marine mammals narwhals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act
According to evidence presented at the trial, federal officials said Zarauskas conspired with others, including persons located in Canada, to illegally import the protected tusks for re-sale in the U.S.
They also planned to launder funds used to purchase the narwhal tusks, according to authorities.
On Jan. 7, 2014, authorities said Jay G. Conrad, of Lakeland, Tenn., who had been charged in the same indictment, pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally import and traffic narwhal tusks, conspiring to launder money, and illegally trafficking narwhal tusks.
On that same date, a plea agreement was also unsealed in which Eddie T. Dunn, of Eads, Tenn., pleaded guilty in Alaska to conspiring to illegally traffic, and trafficking, narwhal tusks.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Dreher said: “Zarauskas and his co-conspirators flouted U.S. law and international agreements that protect marine mammals such as the narwhal for their own personal financial benefit. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those engaged in this insidious trade in order to protect species for future generations to enjoy.”