The Environmental Crimes and Animal Abuse Agency of the Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation into activities of a poaching network.
As part of this case, a raid was carried out on a private property this Thursday, where weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, deer meat, antlers, and other items associated with illegal hunting were seized.
The investigation was initiated ex officio by the Esquel Regional Unit due to suspicion that a group of individuals, without the consent of the owner of the field, entered the property with weapons, vehicles, and communication equipment with the purpose of illegally hunting.
It is presumed that in that raid they would have killed a red deer, a practice that is prohibited during this time of the year and for which a specific license is required.
“They are identified individuals who are dedicated not only to illegal hunting, but also to the sale of meat and byproducts of the meat. Additionally, they face sentences of up to 4 years in prison for carrying firearms. They have previous convictions even in the province’s fauna for this type of illegal activity,” emphasized Cecilia Bagnatto, Prosecutor of the Office to Environmental News.
A concerning aspect of the case is that investigators have determined that it could be an organization dedicated not only to hunting, but also to the illegal commercialization of meat and other byproducts derived from animals.
The Prosecutor, Cecilia Bagnatto, was the one who requested the search warrant from the judge, which was executed on Thursday morning. As a result, various items of interest to the case were seized, including: firearms, handheld communication equipment, bullets, telescopic sights, and deer heads and antlers.
“In relation to the impact on the environment, it is clear that hunting a species, in this case, a wild species like the red deer, indiscriminately and outside the hunting season, they are even hunting young specimens. Let’s remember that the red deer species must have at least 10 points on their antlers in total to be hunted because otherwise, it is prohibited.”
“They are hunting young pieces, females, out of season, this also affects the species’ reproduction, without prejudice to the fact that we know that there is a large deer population in Patagonia at the moment, but hunting them and causing harm and killing offspring and killing adults or females at a time that is not allowed, affects the reproduction chain. And the species itself, of course,” added Cecilia Bagnatto to Environmental News.
The procedure was carried out by the Esquel DPI, with the collaboration and security coverage of the AURE Mini Radioelectric Command personnel, as well as the intervention of the Scientific Police Division personnel from the city.
The Prosecutor’s Office continues with the investigation of this case, which has been provisionally classified under the crimes of home invasion, carrying a firearm, and poaching.
