Courts / Limerick / Report

Rhino horn accused flown to US after arrest by 20 armed gardai

Date
2020-05-22

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

John Slattery, aged 30 and known as John Flynn, was arrested early in the morning by 20 armed Gardaí in Limerick and extradited to the United States to face three wildlife‑trafficking charges. The High Court heard that Slattery had been on bail, which was due to expire at midnight, and that he had agreed to surrender himself to U.S. authorities. U.S. prosecutors allege that Slattery and two others purchased rhino horns in Austin, Texas, for €18,000, then sold them in New York for €50,000, using a Texas "straw buyer" because they were not local residents. They also allegedly bought two more horns in 2010 for €10,000 and acquired a consignment of horns at an auction in Macon, Missouri. Slattery had spent nine months in remand before being granted bail in April, with a €10,000 bond lodged.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rhino horn accused flown to US after arrest by 20 armed gardai. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

April 2010 Other
November 2010 Other
2020-05-22 Publication

Why: The men were initially unable to buy the horns because they were not local residents so they enlisted the help of a Texas man – a "straw buyer" – to complete the purchase, according to US authorities. CNI source report