A bear paw involved in the investigation. (Saskatchewan Environment/Facebook)

By larongeNOW Staff

wildlife trafficking

Sandy Bay residents fined for illegal buying and selling of bear parts

Jan 15, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Three individuals from Sandy Bay have been fined for the illegal buying and selling of bear parts.

That’s according to the Ministry of Environment, which wrote in a new release that four people from Saskatchewan and one person from Toronto were charged with trafficking wildlife. The fines total more than $67,000 and is the result of a two-and-a-half-year undercover investigation.

After receiving information a Sandy Bay area restaurant was purchasing bear parts, conservation officers conducted the in-depth investigation.

Those charged and fined include Li Gen Han, 36, of Sandy Bay who was charged with seven counts of trafficking wildlife and fined $23,800, Lianshun Li, 36, of Sandy Bay was charged with three counts and fined $8,400, Marcel Sewap, 34, of Sandy Bay was charged with one count and fined $2,800, and Lianhua Chi, 56, of Saskatoon was charged with seven counts and fined $29,120.

With the help of Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, a Toronto resident was charged and fined $3,250 in connection with buying bear galls from Saskatchewan.

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Gall bladders involved in the investigation. (Saskatchewan Environment/Facebook)

In addition to the fines, all of the accused Saskatchewan residents were given a five-year suspension from purchasing a hunting licence.

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