NEW CASTLE, N.H. (AP) – Authorities said Friday they have two prime suspects as they investigate the case of mutilated seals off the New Hampshire and Maine seacoasts.

Investigators said the suspects are from New Hampshire and were identified thanks to tips from the public. They would not say how close they were to making arrests, but said officials do not consider the case solved.

Investigators think someone killed the seals to remove their sex organs to supply a black market. Chris Schoppmeyer, spokesman for the Office of Law Enforcement at National Marine Fisheries Service, said the organs can be sold for thousands of dollars overseas because some people believe they are an aphrodisiac. Killing a marine mammal is a federal crime punishable by up to a year in jail and a $20,000 fine.

Schoppmeyer said that, thanks to donations from Seacoast businesses, the reward for information leading to arrests has grown to $7,850.

Two seals, a gray seal and a harbor seal, were discovered at Hampton beach during July and August. They were skinned and body parts were missing.

A third skinned seal washed up on the beach last week in Kittery.

, Schoppmeyer said.

AP-ES-01-16-04 1435EST