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Conviction of sperm whale tooth salesman welcomed by police – oxfordmail.co.uk
Apr
Police have welcomed the conviction of a soldier caught with more than £18,000-worth of sperm whale teeth.
Lance Corporal Tevita Lavaki pleaded guilty last week to breaching wildlife regulations by having the whale teeth for sale.
Police had launched an investigation into the Grove man after Oxfordshire Trading Standards was tipped off about a company selling the teeth on Facebook.
READ MORE: Man admits having £18,000-worth of whale teeth
Last week, Oxford Magistrates’ Court was told that when police officers raided Lavaki’s home they found more than 40 sperm whale teeth. They are prized as valuable objects, given as presents on special occasions, in a number of cultures; including Fiji, where the defendant is from.
Welcoming the conviction, investigating officer PC Tim Bowers of the Rural Crime Taskforce said: “This is believed to be one of the largest seizures of sperm whale teeth in the UK.
“So, I am pleased we have been able to achieve a conviction having put Tevita Lavaki before the courts.”
Lavaki will be sentenced later this month.
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