After a four-month undercover investigation, Fish and Wildlife officers have charged a Sedgewick man with unlawfully trafficking and possessing wildlife.
“Illegal trafficking of wildlife will not be tolerated in Alberta. This is a very serious crime that needs to be dealt with through serious punishments,” said Justice Minister Jonathan Denis.
The investigation was focused on the trafficking of big game antlers in the Lougheed area. It wrapped up August 25th, and charges have been laid against Garland Larry Poyser. Poyser – who owns Poyser Auto Service is facing two counts of unlawfully trafficking in wildlife, one count of possessing wildlife for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of unlawful possession of wildlife.
Fish and Wildlife officers executed a search warrant at Poyser Auto Service on August 25th, seizing 500 sets of white-tailed deer and mule deer antlers, 36 sets of moose antlers, six sets of elk antlers and one set of caribou antlers.
The province says trafficking of wildlife is highly regulated in Alberta. Wildlife can only be sold under very stringent and controlled conditions. Officials say unregulated trade creates a potential marketplace that may imperil the future of Alberta’s wildlife resources.
“My thanks go out to the fish and wildlife officers for their great work on this investigation and for continuing to protect Alberta’s wildlife resources,” says Minister Denis.
Poyser is scheduled to appear in court October 16th, 2012, in Killam, Alberta. The maximum penalty for illegally selling wildlife, or for possessing wildlife for the purpose of selling it, is $100,000 in fines and/or two years in jail. A charge of unlawful possession of wildlife can result in up to $50,000 in fines and/or one year in jail.
Last Friday, Fish and Wildlife officers seized a cage of rattlesnakes from an Edmonton home. The animals were discovered after one of the rattlesnakes was captured out in the neighbourhood. The owners of the snakes were known to police, so Edmonton police officers were called in to help with the investigation. In Alberta, it’s illegal to own any type of venomous or poisonous snake.
Anyone with information that would assist in solving any fish or wildlife crime in Alberta is asked to contact a local Alberta government Fish and Wildlife Enforcement office or call the 24-hour, toll-free Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
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