No, but they'll jump at the chance to make a huge "bust" at a tradeshow like SBE, Derby City, etc. The headlines will be fantastic: "Feds arrest 40 pool cue makers for selling endangered elephant ivory!" They'll make sure to have TV crews on site to record the group arrest as cue makers are escorted to the FBI van.
They'll do this because they know the viewing public will applaud them for saving elephants. That's all that matters...justify the agency's budget. It's only in the news for one day -- the media NEVER reports that Joe Schmoe was found innocent.
After each cue maker has spent $10,000 on lawyers, there won't be one conviction. Settle, promise to never do it again, give up a few offending cues...whatever deal your lawyer works out.
Your alternative is to spend $200,000 to go to court. Your lawyer will explain to you that this is not a criminal matter in which the government has to prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." It's a civil suit in which they only need to show "a preponderance of the evidence." After combing through your records for the last seven years (you've kept good records...that agree with your IRS tax returns, right?), they'll have more evidence than they need.
In previous threads about burning confiscated ivory, I've suggested the ivory should be burned...along with the poachers. I hate the whole illegal ivory trade. But you've got to understand that this is how government agencies work: it's not about saving elephants or even enforcing the law. It's about looking good in front of the public (and Congress) and justifying the agency's budget. If it was your job and salary on the line, you'd do the same thing.
Cues with ivory, at a tradeshow, is a recipe for destruction.
Well RJ, he's got you on that one. Hard to argue with that logic. :grin:
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