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 & 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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