Officials with the federal Environment and Natural Resources Division say Andrew L. Zarauskas was arrested Friday at his home in Union.
He faces conspiracy and money laundering charges related to the purchase and attempted sale of tusks from narwhals, a medium-sized whale with an extremely long tusk that is sought by collectors.
An indictment by a federal grand jury in Maine names Zarauskas and alleged co-conspirator Jay G. Conrad of Lakeland, Tenn.
Prosecutors say the two men allegedly engaged in the illegal import of the tusks from Canada to the United States and conspired to launder money to conceal the proceeds.
It is not clear if the men have retained attorneys.
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