Post by Gord on Apr 29, 2006 21:16:35 GMT -8
There was a considerable amount of effort put into this case over the last year. Finally they are able to make information on this case public.
Information Bulletin
Eagle Poaching Investigation Results in Charges
VANCOUVER - After a 15-month investigation by British
Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, charges have
now been laid against 11 individuals for possession and
trafficking in dead wildlife:
James Carl JOSEPH of Vancouver has been charged with a total of
21 counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
trafficking in dead wildlife and unlawful export of wildlife.
First appearance is June 15 in Surrey Provincial Court.
Gary ABBOTT of Chilliwack has been charged with a total of eight
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Ralph LEON of Chehalis has been charged with a total of 10
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Reynold COLLINS of Chilliwack has been charged with a total of
six counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
David Essary BILL of Sidney has been charged with a total of
eight counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife.
Wesley FRANCIS of Chehalis has been charged with a total of six
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife, hunting
wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in dead
wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in Chilliwack Provincial
Court.
Thomas Lawrence SHAW of Chehalis has been charged with a total
of two counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Francis JAMES of Vancouver has been charged with a total of four
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife.
William Michael VISSER of Langley has been charged with a total
of eight counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife
and trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance June 22 is
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Jerome Richard SEYMOUR of Duncan has been charged with a total
of 27 counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
hunting wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in
dead wildlife. First appearance is June 19 in Duncan Provincial
Court.
William Arthur SEYMOUR of Brentwood Bay has been charged with a
total five counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
hunting wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in
dead wildlife. First appearance is June 19 in Duncan Provincial
Court.
The investigation began in February 2005 when the remains of 50
eagles were found in North Vancouver. The Conservation Officer
Service undertook the investigation with support from the
Canadian Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
RCM police, Vancouver Police Department and agencies in Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Ontario.
The Conservation Officer Service wishes to acknowledge the
support received from the Tseil-Waututh First Nation and
Squamish First Nation, as well as the public who provided
numerous tips that aided the investigation.
Under the BC’s Wildlife Act, penalties for poaching can
be as high as $50,000 for a first offence or a term of
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both for each count.
Penalties for trafficking eagle parts can be as high at $100,000
for a first offence or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one
year, or both for each count.
Under federal legislation for illegal export, penalties under
the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Regulation of the
International and Interprovincial Trade Act can be as high as
$150,000 and accompany up to five years imprisonment.
The unregulated harvest of any wildlife population has the
potential for causing significant impacts. Anyone with
information about this case or any other poaching or polluting
violation is urged to contact the Report All Poachers and
Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277). Violations can also
be reported to the RAPP website at www.rapp.bc.ca. All tips are
confidential.
-end-
Information Bulletin
Eagle Poaching Investigation Results in Charges
VANCOUVER - After a 15-month investigation by British
Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, charges have
now been laid against 11 individuals for possession and
trafficking in dead wildlife:
James Carl JOSEPH of Vancouver has been charged with a total of
21 counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
trafficking in dead wildlife and unlawful export of wildlife.
First appearance is June 15 in Surrey Provincial Court.
Gary ABBOTT of Chilliwack has been charged with a total of eight
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Ralph LEON of Chehalis has been charged with a total of 10
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Reynold COLLINS of Chilliwack has been charged with a total of
six counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
David Essary BILL of Sidney has been charged with a total of
eight counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife.
Wesley FRANCIS of Chehalis has been charged with a total of six
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife, hunting
wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in dead
wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in Chilliwack Provincial
Court.
Thomas Lawrence SHAW of Chehalis has been charged with a total
of two counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance is June 20 in
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Francis JAMES of Vancouver has been charged with a total of four
counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife and
trafficking in dead wildlife.
William Michael VISSER of Langley has been charged with a total
of eight counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife
and trafficking in dead wildlife. First appearance June 22 is
Chilliwack Provincial Court.
Jerome Richard SEYMOUR of Duncan has been charged with a total
of 27 counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
hunting wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in
dead wildlife. First appearance is June 19 in Duncan Provincial
Court.
William Arthur SEYMOUR of Brentwood Bay has been charged with a
total five counts alleging unlawful possession of dead wildlife,
hunting wildlife during the closed season and trafficking in
dead wildlife. First appearance is June 19 in Duncan Provincial
Court.
The investigation began in February 2005 when the remains of 50
eagles were found in North Vancouver. The Conservation Officer
Service undertook the investigation with support from the
Canadian Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
RCM police, Vancouver Police Department and agencies in Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Ontario.
The Conservation Officer Service wishes to acknowledge the
support received from the Tseil-Waututh First Nation and
Squamish First Nation, as well as the public who provided
numerous tips that aided the investigation.
Under the BC’s Wildlife Act, penalties for poaching can
be as high as $50,000 for a first offence or a term of
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both for each count.
Penalties for trafficking eagle parts can be as high at $100,000
for a first offence or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one
year, or both for each count.
Under federal legislation for illegal export, penalties under
the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Regulation of the
International and Interprovincial Trade Act can be as high as
$150,000 and accompany up to five years imprisonment.
The unregulated harvest of any wildlife population has the
potential for causing significant impacts. Anyone with
information about this case or any other poaching or polluting
violation is urged to contact the Report All Poachers and
Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277). Violations can also
be reported to the RAPP website at www.rapp.bc.ca. All tips are
confidential.
-end-