New York Conservation Officers Association

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OFFICERS SEIZE ILLEGAL GINSENG

2,975 Plants is Largest Haul in Region History

Environmental Conservation Officers, assisted by Forest Rangers and Franklinville Police Officers have seized nearly 14 pounds of ginseng from two Cattaraugus County residences after receiving information that people were illegally harvesting the wild medicinal herb.

ECOs Don Pleakis, Kevin Budniewski, Lieutenant Tom

Scott and Investigator Otto Tertinek executed search warrants on Wednesday, July 25, and searched two homes, seizing 13 pounds and 15.2 ounces of dried and green ginseng from the residences of Randy W. Kenyon, 43, of Five Mile Road in the Town of Ischua, and William R. Lockwood, 40, of 7328 Cadiz Road in the Town of Franklinville.

A total of 2,975 ginseng roots were seized at the two residences -- 1,635 from the Kenyon residence and 1,340 from the Lockwood residence -- making this one of the largest seizures of illegal ginseng in the region. The market value for the seized ginseng is estimated to be between $3,500 and $7,000. Dried ginseng root sells for $250 to $500 per pound. Kenyon and Lockwood did not have permits for the possession of wild ginseng after the harvesting season.

A small amount of marijuana was also discovered at the Kenyon residence.

An investigation is continuing and charges are anticipated. The Southern Tier Drug Task Force is assisting in the investigation.

The NYSDEC has regulated the collection and sale of ginseng in New York State since 1987. State regulations require ginseng dealers to be licensed by DEC, limit wild ginseng harvest to Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, and forbid the sale of dried, wild ginseng before Sept. 15 each year.

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