Kirk Kiefer has been a wildlife investigator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the past 15 years. In this episode, he walks us through Operation “Root of All Evil,” a lengthy and complex investigation into the illegal ginseng trade that spanned multiple states, included unmarked vehicles, extended surveillance, buys and sales by undercover officers, and even a fake business.
Our Sponsors:
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
Here’s what we discuss:
- Wild ginseng root is highly valued for its perceived medicinal properties
- Grows very slowly, taking up to five years to reach maturity
- One pound can be worth up to $1000
- Seeds take over a year to germinate
- Information campaign helped educate stakeholders on the damage caused by poaching
- Many poachers are involved in other illegal activities
- Legal ginseng plants must have three leaf sets, or ‘prongs’
- Case also had multiple prongs
- Prong 1: Undercover officers sold ginseng to licensed dealers
- Compared the amount sold to the amount reported
- Officers then sold ginseng outside the buying season to confirm illegal intent
- Prong 2: Coordinated with US Fish & Wildlife Service to create a fake business
- Business would receive inquiries from those looking to buy and sell illegal product
- Prong 3: Obtain offenders’ assistance in exchange for a reduced penalty
- Task force worked in multiple states
- One offender had been featured on a popular reality show
- The television show actually helped educate the public about ginseng poaching
- Many countries overseas have decimated indigenous flora and fauna, creating a black market
- 110 defendants received multiple charges
- Nearly six years of jail time served, $77,000 in fines
- Kirk’s background; jack of all trades
- Trapping academy
- State officers were made aware of the ginseng operation
- “Giving a little bit, we received a lot.”
- Not all states have Wildlife Investigators
- State of Ohio has done some major operations
- Ginseng awareness for stakeholders training began in 2015
- Operation takedown day finally arrived in 2022
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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