Another member of Trout River poaching ring convicted

Barry Brake of Trout River has become the fifth individual convicted for his role in a major poaching ring that was operating in that community during 2003 and 2004.

Mr. Brake was one of 10 individuals from Trout River charged after a raid on several homes and a business in the community in August 2004. The investigation resulted in a total of 87 charges being laid. The raid followed a 15-month undercover investigation, called Operation Look Out, undertaken by conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources, along with support from DFO. The officers were investigating reports that a number of individuals in the community were engaged in poaching and other illegal activity involving Atlantic salmon and big game.

Mr. Brake was convicted earlier this summer at provincial court in Corner Brook on charges relating to illegal possession of big game and transporting big game without tags attached. He received fines of $1,800 and $1,200 respectively for each charge and is prohibited from holding a big game licence for five years. Mr. Brake was also placed on probation for a period of three years.

Two other individuals already convicted in this case include Owen Payne and Gilbert Blanchard, both of Trout River. Mr. Payne was convicted at Provincial Court in Woody Point in May of this year for possession of Atlantic salmon. He received a fine of $800, was given three years probation, is prohibited from taking part in the recreational fishery for a period of three years, and was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. Mr. Blanchard was convicted and sentenced at provincial court in Woody Point back in February on the charge of illegal possession of big game. He was fined $1,100, given three years probation and is prohibited from holding a big game licence for a period of five years.

Two more individuals, Curtis Crocker and Sterling Crocker, also of Trout River, are scheduled to appear in Provincial Court at Rocky Harbour on September 13 for sentencing on a number of charges under Provincial Wildlife Act and Regulations as well as the Federal Fisheries Act.

In addition, four more adult males and one adult female are scheduled to appear in Provincial Court at Corner Brook on October 19 to answer to various charges under the Provincial ATV Act, Provincial Wildlife Act and Regulations and Federal Fisheries Act.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624

2005 09 12                           12:55 p.m.