Federal agents have arrested two Malaysian nationals on accusations they smuggled orangutan skulls and parts of other wildlife into the US.
Authorities say the two were arrested Friday shortly after arriving in Portland, Oregon, to meet an associate. The criminal complaint says they own an online business that has been smuggling endangered wildlife into the US since 2004.
The investigation began in 2013 when authorities found a helmeted hornbill mandible while searching an international package headed to Oregon. Undercover agents then purchased three orangutan skulls, four helmeted hornbill skulls, a wild pig skull and other parts.
The two face charges of illegally importing wildlife into the US, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a USD 250,000 fine.
