Charges pending against eleven individuals in undercover investigation

Conservation officers with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods will be laying a total of 55 charges against 11 people from the communities of Terrenceville and Monkstown for alleged violations of the provincial Wildlife Act and the Newfoundland Fishery Regulations. The charges are the result of a 10-month undercover investigation on the Burin Peninsula in an effort to combat the illegal commercialization of big game.

These charges include trafficking in big game, illegal possession of big game, hunting big game without licences, hunting big game at night, hunting big game out of season, netting inland waters, possession of untagged salmon, and trafficking in salmon. The investigation has also resulted in the seizure of two vehicles, several firearms, salmon, moose, caribou and other wildlife. The accused will appear in provincial court at Grand Bank in the near future.

This investigation has already resulted in a former resident of Terrenceville, now living in Nova Scotia, being convicted in provincial court on October 7 for hunting big game in this province without a valid licence. This non-resident was fined $1,000 and prohibited from holding a big game licence in Newfoundland and Labrador for five years. In addition, his vehicle, two firearms, hunting gear and three quarters of moose were forfeited to the Crown.

Charges are also pending against an adult male from Terrenceville for alleged violations of the Wildlife Act related to this conviction.

Media contact:

Roy Payne Conservation Officer IV, Clarenville Office, (709) 466-7439.
Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

2002 10 17                                        9:45 a.m.