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. 

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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 &amp; 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 &amp; Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
 
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114 Operation “Root of All Evil” with Kirk Kiefer – Ohio

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