“This investigation demonstrates California’s commitment to protecting wildlife, even outside of our country, by cracking down on poaching and other illegal activity that threatens wildlife population around the globe.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

FRESNO –On January 26, 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that three suspects were booked into Fresno County Jail earlier this month after CDFW wildlife officers executed four search warrants in Fresno and Madera counties during a wildlife parts trafficking investigation.

When a falsely labeled shipment from Thailand containing elephant trunks was intercepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it led CDFW investigators to uncover a criminal operation involving the illegal trade of elephant ivory, rhino horns and other wildlife parts, as well as additional illegal activities.

Search warrants resulted in the seizure of elephant parts, ivory items and wildlife products from other protected species. The case highlights the enforcement of Assembly Bill 96, California’s law that went into effect 10 years ago prohibiting the commercial trade of ivory and certain wildlife parts.

Charges will be filed with the Fresno and Madera County district attorney’s offices. CDFW continues to work with federal partners to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking.