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Marc Langlois, 53, a resident of the city of Lévis, Québec, pleaded guilty in the Court of Québec, Criminal and Penal Chamber, to 45 charges relating to the purchase, sale and possession of black bear gall bladders for the purpose of illegal interprovincial trade. He was sentenced to pay of $47,456 in fines and court costs. This amount represents one of the highest fines ever imposed in Canada regarding possession of bear parts.
Marc Langlois was found guilty of the poaching related activities following interventions carried out under Operation América. On November 20, 2002, wildlife officers from Environment Canada and the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec executed search warrants at Mr. Langlois' residence and workplace.
Federal and Provincial Charges
Marc Langlois was charged with 25 counts under section 8(b) of the federal Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. He was found guilty of possessing black bear gall bladders for trafficking purposes between February 2001 and November 2002.
The individual was also found guilty, under the provincial Act Respecting the Conservation and Development of Wildlife, of 20 charges relating to the purchase or sale of black bear gall bladders.
Operation América
Carried out between 2001 and 2003, Operation América targeted the poaching and illicit trade of black bear parts and other game. On November 20, 2002, search warrants were carried out in over 60 locations in Québec, Ontario, Alberta and the United States. Over 200 officers from the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service took part in the operation.
To this day, some 56 individuals have already been sentenced to fines totalling $267,167 for infractions under Québec provincial law while 3 persons were ordered to pay $68,254 in fines for contraventions of federal law. Adding the sentence levied against Marc Langlois, the total amount of fines resulting from Operation América has reached $382,921 including court costs. Various goods including meat, weapons and vehicles were also confiscated.
Black Bear Gall Bladders
Black bear gall bladders are used as an ingredient in traditional Asian medicine.
Canada has the largest black bear habitat in the world. The illegal trade of black bear parts places ever increasing pressure on populations of this species. It is important to note that the black bear is protected by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Environment Canada is the federal department responsible for the coordination of CITES in Canada. In Québec, the management and protection of bear and its habitats is carried out by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune.
It is also important to note that the success of Operation América is the result of close cooperation between wildlife officers from the governments of Canada and Québec, working with the goal of fighting crime and preserving the environment and wildlife resources for future generations.
The population is invited to report poaching activity or other act that may go against wildlife or habitat protection by calling the S.O.S. Poaching line toll free at 1-800-463-2191 or Environment Canada at 1-800-463-4311. These services are free and confidential.
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