A Gaspésie poaching ring that illegally sold fish and big game in Montreal and Ontario was recently dismantled by wildlife officers.
More than sixty wildlife officers took part in this major operation, which targeted nearly 90 suspects.
“Following a long and meticulous investigation, wildlife protection officers from the New Richmond and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu offices were able to gather enough evidence to trigger the operation of dismantling,” the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement.
Offenders are notably suspected of having sold and bought big game (moose, black bear gallbladder and white-tailed deer) and of having exceeded catch and possession limits.
Black bear gallbladders are highly prized by Asians – some of whom are willing to shell out several thousand dollars for one – because they believe they have aphrodisiac properties, which is completely false.
“Since the start of this investigation, it is estimated that more than 1000 the number of striped bass traded illegally,” said the authorities.
If found guilty, the individuals involved in the case could face fines of up to more than a quarter of a million dollars.
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