Woman admits selling illegal elephant ivory on eBay

09/05/24

The BBC reports on Ivory Trafficking on eBay: Dundee Woman Convicted in Scottish First

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2x3yn4m6pdo

• Identity and Conviction: Joyce Bell, 67, from Dundee, Scotland, admits to illegal ivory sales.

• Ivory Sales Details: Sold nearly 100 ivory items through eBay, falsely labeled as "bovine bone."

• Revenue from Illegal Sales: Generated £6,412 selling costume jewelry and ivory to international buyers.

• Legal Implications: Convicted under the Ivory Act 2018; also admitted to fraud and evasion of export duties.

• Case Uniqueness: Sheriff George Way notes the rarity and uniqueness of the case in his 16-year career.

• Investigation and Evidence: Border Force at Heathrow Airport seized parcels containing ivory; deceptive sales detected through weight differences.

• Seller's Claim: Bell claimed ignorance of the material's legality, stating confusion between ivory and bovine bone.

• Upcoming Sentencing: Sentence deferred until June 24, awaiting further reports.