Posted on 11/13/2008 9:36:38 PM PST by nickcarraway
Seven adults and a juvenile are under arrest after an undercover Fish and Wildlife Commission investigation into an illegal marine life theft ring.
Some of those arrested were taking marine life and exporting it to New York and Amsterdam.
The FWC says the six-month investigation in the multi-million-dollar scheme worked under a fake company called One Tropical Way. The group advertised and bought illegally obtained products from a group known to sell illegal marine life.
Investigators say the ring operated for at least five years prior to the investigation.
A news briefing in Tampa is expected to reveal specifics regarding the contraband but the overall offenses deal with catching and selling bait fish and shrimp but selling it as food for people.
Other crimes include the harvesting of peppermint shrimp, protected sharks, sea horses and bay scallops. No where in the state can bay scallops be harvested commercially according to the FWC.
Some of the illegally captured marine life was hidden in the boats to avoid detection. Even with poor maintenance which killed many of the captured marine life, the FWC believes the group sold $600,000 worth of peppermint shrimp used in aquarium displays over the course of their theft ring.
Charged are Harley Jay Rodriguez of Hernando Beach, Charity Lynn Rodriguez of Hernando Beach, Jesse J. Rodriguez of Spring Hill, Robert Ray McClure of Spring Hill, Patrick Howard Walsh of New Port Richey, Michael Helmhotlz of Spring Hill, Gerald Richard Sylvester of New Port Richey and an unnamed juvenile.
Dwarf seahorses probably — they’re found around Tampa, I believe. All seahorses are considered threatened species. Maybe that’ll get the perps some time.
There is a lot of Rodriguez going on right thar.
LOL! Thats why I get my sushi at the bait shop, its far cheaper than the restaurant.........
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