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NewsLos Angeles TimesOctober 24, 2026Los Angeles County

Anaheim couple sentenced to probation and fines for trafficking endangered wildlife parts, feds say

Photo: Los Angeles Times

A federal judge sentenced an Anaheim couple to three years' probation and $10,000 fines each after they pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act by trafficking wildlife parts such as rhinoceros horns and bear gallbladders between Oregon and Vietnam. Linh Luu and Kevin Le processed $51,000 in payments between September 2019 and May 2021 to assist in buying and selling illegal wildlife parts. Prosecutors stated the couple met undercover agents at a Target parking lot to deliver a $12,000 cash down payment for rhinoceros horn pieces.

Wildlife ProtectionCrime and Law EnforcementFederal CourtsInternational Trade
Read the full story at Los Angeles Times

Why It Matters

The case illustrates federal enforcement against international wildlife trafficking networks operating out of local communities and utilizing cash to evade banking regulations.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

locationVietnam“Country involved in the international wildlife trafficking network.”PersonLinh Luu“Anaheim resident sentenced to probation and a fine for wildlife trafficking.”locationOregon“State where the federal court is located and where some wildlife parts were impo”PersonKevin Le“Anaheim resident sentenced to probation and a fine for wildlife trafficking.”OrganizationCooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund“Fund that will receive the $10,000 fines paid by each defendant.”OrganizationTarget“Parking lot where undercover agents met the couple to deliver cash.”locationAnaheim“City in California where the married couple lived.”locationUnited States“Government that regulates wildlife trade alongside Vietnam.”