River of Ponds men sentenced for trafficking in big game

Roy Gould Jr. and William Gould of River of Ponds were sentenced at Provincial Court in Corner Brook on January 14 after being convicted of trafficking in big game.

Judge Wayne Gorman sentenced Roy Gould Jr. to a fine of $1,200 while William Gould was fined $1,600. Both individuals are also prohibited from hunting moose and caribou for five years.

The convictions were the result of an undercover operation conducted by conservation officers with the Department Forest Resources and Agrifoods that took place on the Northern Peninsula during 1999 and 2000. The investigation was initiated following numerous complaints from the general public regarding the illegal sale of big game from a meat cutting shop located in River of Ponds.

As part of the undercover operation in 2000, a substantial purchase of 256 packages of big game sausages was made by the undercover conservation officers.

Media contact: Jim Maloney, Regional Compliance Manager, 637-2918 or 632-0198, or Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

2003 01 16                                        4:15 p.m.