Toronto,
October 18, 2006 – Trading on the internet in
endangered species, as well as goods containing
their parts, could land you in jail. Mark J. Gleberzon,
age 36, of Toronto, Ontario was convicted yesterday
in the Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal Division,
for unlawfully exporting endangered species from
Canada to the United States. His conviction was
based on a series of unlawful transactions involving
endangered species, carried out on a popular internet-based
auction site. Mr. Gleberzon was given a 12-month
conditional sentence during which he will be subject
to stringent terms and conditions, including four
months of house arrest, and the obligation to
perform 200 hours of community service. During
this 12-month period, Mr. Gleberzon's activities
will be carefully scrutinized – particularly his
internet activities. The judge also ordered forfeiture
of numerous artifacts containing endangered species.
The illegal internet trade in
endangered species is a multi-million dollar a
year international industry and is responsible
for driving some of the world's most vulnerable
creatures to the brink of extinction. Mr. Gleberzon
allegedly traded in goods containing parts from
endangered species such as African elephant, Himalayan
pheasant, birds of paradise, sperm whale, walrus
and long-eared owls.
Endangered animal and plant
species are listed in an international agreement
called the Convention on International Trade of
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
CITES sets controls, through a permit system,
on the international trade and movement of animal
and plant species that are endangered, and have
been or may be threatened due to excessive commercial
exploitation.
In Canada, the Wild Animal and
Plant Protection and Regulation of International
and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) is the
legislative vehicle by which Canada meets its
obligations under CITES. Environment Canada is
the department responsible for enforcing these
regulations on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Mr. Gleberzon's conviction concluded
a two-year investigation jointly undertaken by
special agents from the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and officers of Environment Canada's
Wildlife Enforcement Directorate. The investigation
included the establishment of covert computer
communications with Mr. Gleberzon and the subsequent
purchase and delivery of numerous endangered animals
to an undercover officer in the United States.
The investigation concluded in May 2005, with
Mr. Gleberzon's arrest in New York City and the
execution of a search warrant at his Toronto residence.
Mr. Gleberzon was convicted
of operating without CITES permits, which are
required to legally import and export endangered
species in or out of Canada. Mr. Gleberzon faced
numerous other charges in Canada under WAPPRIITA.
His final conviction on the one charge noted above
followed lengthy and multi-national plea negotiations.
He is also facing similar charges laid by the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Gary Colgan - Director, Wildlife Enforcement Division
