News Release

Two People Convicted and Fined for Their Role in a Major International Endangered Species Smuggling Ring

Halifax, NS, November 8, 2007 -Two Florida residents were convicted and fined in Halifax Provincial Court today for their roles in a major smuggling ring involving Queen Conch, an internationally protected marine endangered species. 

Mr. Ramon Placeres, 58, and Ms. Janitse Martinez, 33, were represented by their legal counsel to face charges laid by Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement Officers under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

Both received a fine of $10,000 U.S. dollars for unlawfully importing Queen Conch meat into Canada and another fine of $10,000 U.S. dollars for unlawfully exporting Queen Conch meat from Canada.  $20,000 of this will be placed in the Environmental Damages Fund that is administered by Environment Canada on behalf of the Government of Canada.  The Fund provides courts with a way to direct money from fines to work to restore and protect the environment

The convictions are part of an 18-month-long investigation involving federal wildlife officers in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, and American officers from Florida.  Canadian and United States federal wildlife officials announced on September 26, 2007 that the smuggling ring had been dismantled.

The smuggling operation is believed to have been responsible for illegally importing and exporting 119,978 kilograms (the equivalent of nearly seven fully loaded semi trailers) of Queen Conch meat from several Caribbean and South American countries to and from Canada and the United States from 2004 to 2006.  Environment Canada Enforcement Officers seized 17,672 kilograms of the meat in Halifax, the largest amount seized in Canada.  There were also seizures in Montreal and in Buffalo, New York.  The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States National Marine Fisheries Service, and Canadian and American border officials also contributed to the investigation that lead to the seizures. 

Proceedings are ongoing in Vancouver Provincial Courtagainst Pacific Marine Union Corp. of Vancouver, British Columbia and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zamorro Gabriel Shone, also of Vancouver, British Columbia regarding their alleged role in the smuggling ring.

Queen Conch is protected under the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.  In Canada, this Convention is implemented by the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.  Under this Act offences are punishable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $300,000 or imprisonment up to five years, or both.  It has been estimated that the meat of between 798,000 and 1.05 million individual conchs was seized from the smuggling ring.

Environment Canada is responsible for enforcing federal laws regulating wildlife trade, including trade in endangered and invasive species, as well as laws for protecting species at risk and conserving migratory birds and select wildlife areas.

To report the smuggling or trafficking of endangered species or any infraction of a federal wildlife law, the public is invited to contact Environment Canada's Wildlife Enforcement Division toll free at 1-800-463-4311.

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