The illegal trade in bear parts has exploded in Canada in the last five years and shows no signs of diminishing. The parts are destined for the Asian food and herbal medicine markets. The international trade in bear parts and other wildlife products is now the second largest area of illegal activity in the world and is only barely surpassed by the drug trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an international trade agreement signed by more than 120 nations, including Canada, to control and monitor the movement of endangered species throughout the world. However, enforcement is not effective in stopping or slowing those activities. The exchange of endangered species for drugs grows daily as more drug cartels see the value in this trade, which enjoys: (1) low to minimal enforcement of regulations; (2) extremely high profits; (3) minimal penalties if violators are caught; and (4) low inspection rates at international borders.