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NLIS 4
June 3, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Member of the
�Untouchables� receives jail time for salmon poaching
William Gilbert, from the community of
St. Fintan�s, was sentenced recently at Provincial Court in Port aux
Basques as a result of his involvement in a commercial poaching
operation which took place during 2004 along the province�s
southwest coast.
Mr. Gilbert, one of a group of nine convicted individuals who
referred to themselves as �The Untouchables�, was convicted in
December 2004 for possession of untagged Atlantic salmon and for the
selling of Atlantic salmon.
On May 4, 2005, Judge Donald Luther sentenced Mr. Gilbert to two
months in jail for each offence. Mr. Gilbert is also prohibited from
being near scheduled inland waters for a period of 10 years. As
well, a quantity of salmon that had been seized was forfeited to the
crown.
Mr. Gilbert and the others involved in the commercial poaching
operation were apprehended after a three-week investigation
conducted by conservation officers with the Inland Fisheries
Enforcement Program of the Department of Natural Resources. As a
result of the investigation, nine male individuals, seven from this
province and two from Ontario, were charged and subsequently
convicted for a variety of offences related to their organized
poaching activity.
In another case, Dean Cadwell of Charlottetown, Labrador, was
sentenced on May 11, 2005, by Judge Bruce Short at Provincial Court
in Port Hope Simpson for an obstruction charge related to an alleged
poaching activity.
On August 12, 2004, Mr. Cadwell was observed netting inland waters
by the department�s conservation officers. He then ran from
conservation officers when they attempted to apprehend him. Mr.
Cadwell was subsequently caught and charged with obstruction.
Judge Short fined Mr. Cadwell $500, the maximum under the Wildlife
Act, and placed him on probation for three years. In addition, Mr.
Cadwell is prohibited from taking part in any recreational fishing
activity for a period of three years.
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282,
685-4624
2005 06 03
11:45 a.m. |
