Three Kent county residents and another from Chippewa County have been arrested on charges related to buying and selling wildlife, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced, resulting from a multiyear investigation by DNR’s Special Investigations Unit.
The complaint originated from confidential informants concerned about the illegal trade in black bear parts.
“Individuals soliciting for the purchase of black bear parts creates a market for the illegal parts and provides a financial incentive for poachers to take the animals during closed seasons... by unlawful methods,” said DNR Detective Lt. Jason Haines, who heads the unit. “There is a black market for black bear parts in Asia, where the parts are used for medicinal purposes.”
In all, 11 misdemeanors were charged among the three male, and one female, defendants. Each of the charges carries a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail, plus $1,500 reimbursement for each animal illegally purchased.
The Kent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office authorized charges against the following individuals, who are Grand Rapids-area residents: Tuan Hoa Pham, 52, of Kentwood, Michigan, charged with one count of buying bear parts and one count of buying sport-caught fish; Hoang Linh-Duy Tran, 45, of Wyoming, Michigan, charged with two counts of buying a black bear; and Hoa Trung Huynh, 51, of Kentwood, charged with one count of illegally possessing black bear parts and one count of aiding and abetting the purchase of black bear parts.
The three defendants were arrested and lodged in the Kent County Jail in Grand Rapids. They have waived arraignment and are scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug. 27, in Kent County District Court.
In the Upper Peninsula, the Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued a five-count warrant against a Sault Ste. Marie man, Hieu Van Hoang, 45, charged with purchasing bear and deer parts. Hoang was served the warrants in the Chippewa County Jail, where he is being detained on a felony of allegedly attempting to murder his wife.
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