A retired RCMP officer accused of smuggling narwhal tusks across the border pleaded guilty Wednesday in a U.S. court to 10 money-laundering counts.
Prosecutors said Gregory Logan, 59, of Saint John, N.B., smuggled 250 tusks valued at $1.5 million to $3 million into Maine in false compartments in his vehicle.
READ MORE: Ex-Mountie narwhal smuggler extradited to U.S. to await trial
Narwhals are medium-sized whales known for spiral tusks that can grow longer than 2.5 metres. They are protected by the U.S. and Canada.
Logan, who was a Mountie when he began bringing the tusks into the U.S., faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for each count.
Logan was originally charged with smuggling, conspiracy and money laundering.
READ MORE: New Brunswick man who smuggled narwhal tusks loses appeal of extradition
He pleaded guilty in Canada to a related wildlife smuggling crime, and terms of his extradition limited U.S. charges to money laundering.
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