September 8, 2014

25 Charged With Illegal Ginseng Harvesting

Associated Press
American Ginseng plant. - Dan J. Pittillo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

American Ginseng plant.

Dan J. Pittillo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

PAOLI, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Conservation Officers have arrested or cited 25 people in southern Indiana on charges of being involved in illegal ginseng harvesting.

Conservation Officer Jim Schreck said the investigation is continuing. The arrests were made last week in Orange, Martin, Washington, Clark, Harrison and Scott counties.

Schreck says conservation officers acting on tips executed multiple search warrants and seized several pounds of illegal ginseng. Additionally, several illegal drugs were seized and a stolen handgun was recovered.

Wild ginseng is a plant sought for its root, valued anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per pound, which is then sold to licensed dealers, who often export it to other countries. Legal ginseng harvest season runs from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, and harvest restrictions also apply.

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