Man Caught Selling Illegal Sperm Whale Teeth and Bones on eBay

A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones, raising fresh concerns about wildlife trafficking in the U.S. According to Johnny Diaz of The New York Times, 69-year-old Lauren H. DeLoach admitted to smuggling the parts into the U.S. from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine between 2022 and 2024. The items—at least 85 of them—were sold on eBay for more than $18,000.

Federal prosecutors said DeLoach tried to avoid detection by labeling the items as “plastic” in customs declarations. Authorities seized around $20,000 worth of whale parts from his home. These parts are often used for carvings and decorative pieces, despite sperm whales being protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1970 and banned from international trade by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina confirmed that DeLoach is facing felony charges under the Lacey Act and misdemeanor charges under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sperm whales, the largest toothed whales on Earth, are found in deep oceans across the globe. Males can grow up to 52 feet long. Their survival is threatened by illegal hunting, ocean noise, plastic Pollution, and Climate change.

In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews said, “Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar global business that endangers protected animals and fuels organized crime.”

It’s a stark reminder that behind the glossy finish of decorative whale bone art lies a brutal trade.

Let’s choose compassion over cruelty. Skip the ornaments made from endangered species and Support marine protection efforts instead. Shop ethically, go plant-based, and use your voice to protect the oceans and the amazing creatures that call them home.

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