Soldier who sold sperm whale teeth sentenced for wildlife crime offences – oxfordmail.co.uk

A man who was landed with charges relating to the importation and sale of sperm whale teeth has been sentenced for wildlife crime offences.
Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Taskforce, Tevita Laaki, from Grove, has been sentenced for multiple wildlife crime offences.
The 50-year-old, of Mayfield Avenue, was told to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work to be completed in 12 months and pay a £114 surcharge and £85 in costs at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday, July 26. 
READ MORE: Police welcome conviction of sperm whale tooth seller
At a previous hearing at the same court on June 29, he pleaded guilty to one count each of offering for sale, keeping for sale and selling of sperm whale teeth.
The charges relate to the importation and sale of sperm whale teeth between August and September last year.
On September 29, the Rural Crime Taskforce executed a search warrant at Lavaki’s address in Mayfield Avenue, Grove, with support from the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
Officers found 46 sperm whale teeth that had been cleaned, polished and put into packaging with prices on, with a total value of £18,350.
Sperm whales are listed as an endangered species and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972.
Lavaki was charged by postal requisition on June 14. The seized teeth were also forfeited at court today.
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.
“The Rural Crime Taskforce is determined to make the Thames Valley a hostile place for wildlife crime, and we will always endeavour to bring offenders to justice.”
Tevita, a lance corporal, pleaded guilty in late June to breaching wildlife regulations by having the whale teeth for sale.
Police had launched an investigation into him after Oxfordshire Trading Standards was tipped off about a company selling the teeth on Facebook.
Sperm whale teeth are prized as valuable objects, given as presents on special occasions, in a number of cultures; including Fiji, where the defendant is from.
Traffic, a charity tackling illegal wildlife trade, states on its website: “Illegal wildlife trade is devastating wildlife species the world over, as poachers, traffickers and highly organised criminal syndicates ruthlessly pursue profit at any cost to meet consumer demand.
“The trafficking and unsustainable trade in wildlife commodities such as elephant ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, tiger bone, bear bile, and rosewood are causing unprecedented declines in some of the world’s most charismatic, as well as some lesser-known, wildlife species.”
 
This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
 
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