NLIS 6
November 9, 2004
(Natural Resources)
 

Spaniard�s Bay resident fined $14,000 for trafficking big game

A resident of Spaniard�s Bay was recently convicted at Provincial Court in Harbour Grace of trafficking in big game. Augustus Gosse was convicted by Judge Colin Flynn on 14 charges for offences relating to the illegal trafficking of big game antlers on eBay.

Mr. Gosse was originally charged with 127 offences. He agreed to a guilty plea to 14 charges at which time the Crown withdrew the remaining charges. Judge Flynn fined Mr. Gosse $1,000 for each offence for a total fine of $14,000 which he was ordered to pay within a two-year period. In addition, he was prohibited from holding a big game licence for a period of five years.

The investigation into this case was undertaken during 2002 by staff from the special investigations section of the Department of Natural Resources and conservation officers from the Heart�s Content and Paddy�s Pond forestry and wildlife offices.

Media contact:
    Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624
    James Maloney, Chief of Special Investigations, (709) 637-2053

2004 11 09                      1:00 p.m.