Six in four people face federal smuggling charges , U.S. attorney said . The U.S. banned ivory imports in 1976 , and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora effectively outlawed trade in elephant tissue in 1989 . Ivory reportedly sold as wooden snakes , knives and drums . Elephant ivory trade illegal in U.S. since 1976 , worldwide since then .
Six in four people face federal smuggling charges , U.S. attorney said . Ivory reportedly sold as wooden snakes , knives and drums . Elephant ivory trade illegal in U.S. since 1976 , worldwide since then .