St. Paul Woman Accused of Smuggling Elephant Parts from Laos

A St. Paul woman was indicted for allegedly smuggling parts of an Asian elephant and dead birds into the country two years ago, the Pioneer Press reported.

Filed Tuesday, the indictment charged Seng Her, 56, with one count of smuggling goods into the U.S.

According to the Star Tribune, Her was stopped by U.S. Customs officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in November 2007 after visiting Laos.

According to the indictment, Her smuggled in parts of an Asian elephant, an endangered species, as well as several dead birds including yellow-vented flowerpeckers, tailorbirds, prinias and passerines.

The Pioneer Press reported that birds are banned from entering the U.S. from Laos because the country is a source of avian flu.

The market for raw endangered wildlife is caused by traditional Asian medicinal and cultural needs, the Star Tribune said.