Woman admits selling illegal elephant ivory

She had claimed to be selling items made with “bovine bone” to get around eBay’s ban on ivory trading, but collectors knew she was selling prohibited goods.

The court was told that Bell spent years selling costume jewellery to China and other countries and had made £6,412 as a result.

Sheriff George Way deferred sentence until 24 June for reports and said: “It is rare for me to be stumped, but after 16 years on the bench I have never had a case of this nature.”

Bell also admitted fraudulently evading export duty payments by exporting items without a permit.

She further admitted exporting, or trying to export, ivory goods without applying for, or obtaining, export permits.

Fiscal depute Karon Rollo told the court that the Border Force agency at Heathrow Airport highlighted a number of parcel seizures which they suspected contained elephant ivory.

She said a parcel for China was examined by Border Force and found to contain a necklace made from elephant ivory.