National

Abbotsford man pleads guilty to trafficking in black bear paws

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Nov, 2024 11:00 AM

British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says a man from Abbotsford has pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in black bear paws.

A statement from the service says Hong Tao Yang entered his pleas in a Port Coquitlam courtroom on Wednesday, where he was ordered to pay a penalty and victim surcharge worth a total of $8,625.

The service says it began an investigation into the illegal trafficking of wildlife parts after receiving a tip from the public about someone looking to buy bear paws.

It says Yang also pleaded guilty to a separate count of trafficking in wildlife, with the offences all taking place in Maple Ridge between October 2022 and October 2023.

The service says bear paws and other parts may be sought for medicinal purposes.

Depending on the species and the part of the animal, it says prices on the illicit market can vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

4 Sea-Doos stolen: Richmond RCMP

Richmond R-C-M-P say they're investigating after four Sea-Doos were stolen in a two-week period. They say the watercraft were taken from marinas located in the Moray Bridge area.

4 Sea-Doos stolen: Richmond RCMP

B.C. Conservatives stand by candidate who called Palestinian children 'inbred'

Conservatives Leader John Rustad says he has accepted the apology of Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman and won't ask him to step down, but Eby says a candidate engaged in such speech should be fired. Chapman's comments in a series of social media posts about 10 years ago are resurfacing days ahead of the Oct. 19 provincial election.

B.C. Conservatives stand by candidate who called Palestinian children 'inbred'

BC Coroners Service says no record of fatal overdose where Rustad says he saw man die

Rustad told Tuesday's party leaders' debate that he saw someone die "from an overdose" on the corner of Robson and Hornby streets in Vancouver, later telling a news conference he watched first responders "pumping his chest" as an ambulance arrived.

BC Coroners Service says no record of fatal overdose where Rustad says he saw man die

Eby says he'll focus on NDP's record in B.C., but can't resist more digs at Rustad

But in his first scheduled appearance after the sole televised debate of the closely fought election, Eby repeatedly turned back to his opponent, saying B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was "vague" about his plans, and pointed out again that the B.C. Conservatives had not released their costed platform.

Eby says he'll focus on NDP's record in B.C., but can't resist more digs at Rustad

Winnipeg man charged with human smuggling after SUV stopped near Canada-U.S. border

Mounties in Manitoba say they have charged a man with human smuggling and arrested six others near the Canada-United States border. RCMP say investigators became aware of an incursion happening near Emerson, Man., on the night of Sept. 28.

Winnipeg man charged with human smuggling after SUV stopped near Canada-U.S. border

Foreign affairs minister urges Canadians to leave Florida ahead of devastating storm

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canadians in Florida should leave and people planning to travel there should postpone as the state braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton. The storm was downgraded this morning to a Category 4 but is expected to bring deadly storm surge, rain and winds.