Ivory in cues and Japan.

measureman

measureman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A friend of mine was recently on the east coast and visited a legendary cue maker he knows.
He said that the cue maker had a cue loaded with Ivory for a collector in Japan.
I asked how was he going to get that cue by customs and he said that it would be sent Fedex and there would be no problem.
Does this sound right?
 
measureman said:
A friend of mine was recently on the east coast and visited a legendary cue maker he knows.
He said that the cue maker had a cue loaded with Ivory for a collector in Japan.
I asked how was he going to get that cue by customs and he said that it would be sent Fedex and there would be no problem.
Does this sound right?
Click to expand...
No clue as to what does/doesn't get opened/inspected. Sounds like the maker has done it before with no issues.
 
measureman said:
A friend of mine was recently on the east coast and visited a legendary cue maker he knows.
He said that the cue maker had a cue loaded with Ivory for a collector in Japan.
I asked how was he going to get that cue by customs and he said that it would be sent Fedex and there would be no problem.
Does this sound right?
Click to expand...

I have sent and been sent cues via FedEx overnight without issues.

It's expensive but worth it.

Lou Figueroa
 
I'd take the risk on FedEx/UPS domestic shipping. Too risky on an international sale for me. It's just not worth losing the cash/cue and potential legal headache over a pool cue, no matter how good the deal or beautiful/rare the cue is.
 
I use Fed Ex only in the U.S. and I do not ship overseas. I recently bought 2 separate cues from Canadians and their postal system is fast getting stuff to the U. S.
 
have him first obtain a good bail bondsman and lawyer. he will need it on this one.
 
As many many people know from experience, everything is okay until you get caught. Successful criminals know to mitigate risk by changing things up so as to eliminate patterns.

About 20 years ago there was west coast crew of gang bangers who specialized in shipping small packages of narcotics, say 2 to 10 pounds, via UPS and private carriers. They were sharp, did their homework, and built many safeguards into their system. Trouble was it worked too well, and they could not get off of it. What they also missed was something most folks have never heard of -- the US Postal Inspection Service. The bangers got noticed but nothing happened -- the Postal Inspectors just laid back and clocked the entire operation for over a year. While not as well known or "sexy" as the DEA or the ATF, they are one diligent bunch, and they watch everything to do with the Post Office.
 
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Biloxi Boy said:
As many many people know from experience, everything is okay until you get caught. Successful criminals know to mitigate risk by changing things up so as to eliminate patterns.

About 20 years ago there was west coast crew of gang bangers who specialized in shipping small packages of narcotics, say 2 to 10 pounds, via UPS and private carriers. They were sharp, did their homework, and built many safeguards into their system. Trouble was it worked too well, and they could not get off of it. What they also missed was something most folks have never heard of -- the US Postal Inspection Service. The bangers got noticed but nothing happened -- the Postal Inspectors just laid back and clocked the entire operation for over a year. While not as well known or "sexy" as the DEA or the ATF, but they are one diligent bunch, and they watch everything to do with the Post Office.
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Well if the U.S. postal inspectors are as savvy as you claim , this would be one site they could monitor to see who ships ivory cues most often - I would, if I were an ivory hunting detective, they can get addresses upon investigation- for instance - how many “legendary” cue makers are still on the east coast - I can take a good guess who this cue maker might be- so could ivory hunters who do their homework.
 
You can bet the ranch they are watching us -- maybe not as intently as if we were dealing in Mexican or South American "items", but they are watching. All depends on how high on the list ivory is this year.
 
Biloxi Boy said:
You can bet the ranch they are watching us -- maybe not as intently as if we were dealing in Mexican or South American "items", but they are watching. All depends on how high on the list ivory is this year.
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I'm selling a few cues on here early next year- they are loaded with 'natural stuff" - should I worry? I really don't want to sell them in back alley's with one hand on my .38.
 
Just follow the law. If you cannot make yourself certain on your own, see a lawyer. But, as much as has been written on the subject, my guess is that your situation has been described and discussed somewhere. Once informed, establish bright line borders and do not color outside the lines. Finally, honestly question/evaluate every factual basis upon which you depend. The problem many make is that they think they can prove something but, when pressed, can't.

Be sure to save your work where it is safe and retrievable in case you are ever questioned/charged.
 
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I just purchased a jump cue from Finland, and there didn't seem to be any apparent customs issues. Not sure if the package was opened and looked at by customs, it could have been, because the package was pretty beat up by the time it got to me. The jump cue was a carbon fiber stick. Btw, I live in the USA.
 
garczar said:
Just call Ernie G. at 'GINA' and ask him if the wheat is worth the chaff. What little $ is made on a cue sale will NOT cover the pure, un-abated fk'ery the Fed's will put you through.
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I do not know details about Ernie G. and Gina, but I absolutely agree about having the feds on your ass but my experience is that they usually, BUT NOT ALWAYS, have air tight cases when they move. The problem is feds have all the money and time in the world and use them. I have seen a couple of innocent men face bankruptcy in acquitting themselves. State cops are a very different story.
 
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Your friend should feel comfortable playing Russian Roulette…….just makes sure he doesn’t use a pistol.

It is a crap shoot…..go rob a bank….maybe you don’t get caught and maybe you do……but make no bones
about it, there are heavy penalties for violating the International ivory ban. So as long as he’s prepared for all
the real hassles, fines, legal costs and confiscation of property, wish him the best of luck because he has no
idea how expensive this could become. Tell him to call Ernie Guitterez and by the way, this very thread can be
introduced at his criminal prosecution if he is caught and you could be subpoenaed as a witness against him.
 
Biloxi Boy said:
I do not know details about Ernie G. and Gina, but I absolutely agree about having the feds on your ass but my experience is that they usually, BUT NOT ALWAYS, have air tight cases when they move. The problem is feds have all the money and time in the world and use it. I have seen a couple of innocent men face bankruptcy in acquitting themselves. State cops are a very different story.
Click to expand...
www.justice.gov

North Hollywood Pool Cue Maker Charged with Helping Smuggle Elephant Ivory

A North Hollywood man surrendered to U.S. Marshals this morning after an arrest warrant was issued on federal charges of aiding and abetting the illegal smuggling of protected elephant ivory.
www.justice.gov www.justice.gov
 
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