Store Closed, 2 Arrested in Sale of Animal Parts
State fish and game officials have arrested two men and shut down an illegal wildlife trafficking operation run out of a Rowland Heights storefront.
The arrests culminated an investigation by the Department of Fish and Game, which said the operation may be “the most sophisticated case of wildlife commercialization in animal parts uncovered in Southern California.”
Cho Nam Ki, 61, of Rowland Heights and Ki Won Kim, 51, of Walnut were booked for felony possession of wildlife parts for sale. Fish and Game spokesman Curt Taucher said a tip led investigators to Kim’s business at 19261 Colima Road, which had the words “Taxidermist” and “Rattlesnakes” on the door.
Inside, wardens found black bear parts, including gallbladders, skins and paws, along with various animal horns, rattlesnake parts, canned rattlesnake, alligator feet key chains, snakeskin belts, Asian herbs and packaged sliced elk or deer antlers, Taucher said.
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