From Sunday, 5/11/08, Cape Cod Times. " Nantucket Man Indicted in Ivory Smuggling Ring." Nantucket scrimshandler, Charles Manghis, was indicted in
Boston federal court Thurs. 5/08/08. on numerous charges including smuggling, making false statements to federal agents, and conspiracy, the Nantucket
Inquirer and Mirror reported Charles Manghis, 53, of Somerset Lane, was taken into custody at 6 am, by federal agents and Nantucket police at his home,
Thurs. following arraignment in federal court, after which he posted a $25 K bond, and was released.
Nantucket police detective Jerry Adams, said the smuggling ring involved a number of countries, in Europe and Asia, and that Manghis had sold some items on the Island. Adams said, "Good to see these arrests, discoveries of the killing and exploitation of engdangered species like the sperm whale. There are far too few left.
"
Manghis . who's been a master scrimshaw carver at Nina Hellman Associates on Center St. for years, at one time offered scrimshaw demonstrations at the Island Store. He has also carved presidential seals, for Geo. W. Bush, and J.F.K. jr.
Hellman said she doubted if the charges were true. " I believe Mr. Manghis cannot be part of this, and that he has Bought any ivory he has. I know he's very careful where he buys his material. "
Nantucket Environmental Police Sgt. Dean Belanger, who also participated in the investigation, said it was an international case, and that Manghis's home has been searched by authorities, in recent years. Belanger added that Manghis was well versed in the laws regarding endangered species, such as whales and elephants, but still sold the items both on Nantucket, and on E-Bay, in violation of the multinational treaty called the Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species. ( Thanks, Mr. Belanger, for laying it on the line,
)
If convicted on all 11 charges contained within the indictment, Manghis could face up to 25 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Acc to a press release from the US Dept. of Justice, a Ukranian man, Andriy Mikhalyov, was aslo indicted Thursday, on charges related to the smuggling ring. The indictment describes numerous deals between Manghis and Mikhalyov, in which the 2 would communicate through emails, and arrange for Mikhalyov to send elephant ivory and sperm whale teeth from the Ukraine to Manghis, then a middle man in California.
A number of federal agencies were involved in the case.including the National Oceanic, and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney in Boston. Also Nantucket Police Sgt. Howard McIntyre; officer John Rockett, and Detective Daniel Fortado, in addition to Env.Police officer, Belanger, assisted in the arrest.
Good to see all these people working together to protect endangered species.
(Footnote, Article in the Nantucket Inquirer, April 25,2005, re alleged smuggling.)
Lots more to learn about Nantucket Whaling and Scrimshaw, online, and by re-reading Herman Melvilles's classic "Moby Dick." Also online searches of the Nantucket and New Bedford Whaling and Historical Museums.
Nantucket police detective Jerry Adams, said the smuggling ring involved a number of countries, in Europe and Asia, and that Manghis had sold some items on the Island. Adams said, "Good to see these arrests, discoveries of the killing and exploitation of engdangered species like the sperm whale. There are far too few left.
"
Manghis . who's been a master scrimshaw carver at Nina Hellman Associates on Center St. for years, at one time offered scrimshaw demonstrations at the Island Store. He has also carved presidential seals, for Geo. W. Bush, and J.F.K. jr.
Hellman said she doubted if the charges were true. " I believe Mr. Manghis cannot be part of this, and that he has Bought any ivory he has. I know he's very careful where he buys his material. "
Nantucket Environmental Police Sgt. Dean Belanger, who also participated in the investigation, said it was an international case, and that Manghis's home has been searched by authorities, in recent years. Belanger added that Manghis was well versed in the laws regarding endangered species, such as whales and elephants, but still sold the items both on Nantucket, and on E-Bay, in violation of the multinational treaty called the Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species. ( Thanks, Mr. Belanger, for laying it on the line,
)
If convicted on all 11 charges contained within the indictment, Manghis could face up to 25 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Acc to a press release from the US Dept. of Justice, a Ukranian man, Andriy Mikhalyov, was aslo indicted Thursday, on charges related to the smuggling ring. The indictment describes numerous deals between Manghis and Mikhalyov, in which the 2 would communicate through emails, and arrange for Mikhalyov to send elephant ivory and sperm whale teeth from the Ukraine to Manghis, then a middle man in California.
A number of federal agencies were involved in the case.including the National Oceanic, and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney in Boston. Also Nantucket Police Sgt. Howard McIntyre; officer John Rockett, and Detective Daniel Fortado, in addition to Env.Police officer, Belanger, assisted in the arrest.
Good to see all these people working together to protect endangered species.
(Footnote, Article in the Nantucket Inquirer, April 25,2005, re alleged smuggling.)
Lots more to learn about Nantucket Whaling and Scrimshaw, online, and by re-reading Herman Melvilles's classic "Moby Dick." Also online searches of the Nantucket and New Bedford Whaling and Historical Museums.
