Hefty penalties for dealing in blackmarket crays, paua
A restauranteur must pay a hefty fine and do community work for dealing in blackmarket crayfish and paua, and also has to forfeit items used in the offending.
In the Christchurch District Court, Judge Stephen O’Driscoll said he doubled what the cost of the rock lobsters were if Jianwen Li had legitimately paid for them, and sentenced him to pay $18,000, and do 150 hours community work.
The 48-year-old who is a joint owner of Southern Asian Restaurant in Colombo Street was caught by a Ministry for Primary Industries undercover worker.
Li was sentenced on three charges of contravening the Fisheries Act by obtaining a benefit by knowingly possessing, procuring or receiving fish without a licence, obstructing a fisheries officer, and failing to keep a record of the lobster and paua. He had pleaded guilty.
Defence counsel Kerry Cook said the strategy used by the undercover person was too good an opportunity for Li to pass up.
Li was caught red-handed and resisted officers, but that may have been because of some translation problems, he said.
Judge O’Driscoll said he wanted to impose a penalty to show others it was not worthwhile to take the risk if they were approached.
He said Li had no previous convictions, and was a well known and well respected person in the community. He was a hard worker who was remorseful.
Li had purchased the lobster in February, March, and May 2014, and was the first person to appear in court as a result of an undercover operation instigated by the Ministry.
Li was sentenced to a fine and community work and has to forfeit a 2013 Toyota Prado, a Samsung mobile phone, lobsters and pauas seized, a freezer, and electronic scales.
Judge O’Driscoll told Li that he hoped that he had learned from this offending, and that he was sure that if the temptation arose again Li would resist it.
Category: News
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