Louisiana Man Cited After Allegedly Illegally Possessing and Releasing of Apple Snails
Louisiana Man Cited After Allegedly Illegally Possessing and Releasing of Apple Snails
On October 13, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries revealed that on October 6, 2022, enforcement agents cited an Opelousas, Louisiana man for alleged illegal possession and release of an exotic species in St. Landry Parish.
Agents cited Peter Son Nguyen, 73, for illegally releasing game, fowl, or fish and possessing an exotic species.
A concerned Opelousas resident alerted LDWF investigators about a man she suspected of releasing apple snails into a local community pond. Agents conducted a comprehensive investigation of the complaint and discovered many large bundles of apple snail eggs in the Townsouth Neighborhood community pond.
Agents questioned Nguyen’s involvement, and he admitted to possessing the snails and releasing them into the pond.
Illegal possession of apple snails carries a fine of up to $50. Illegally releasing apple snails is punishable by a fine of $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail.
Sgt. Brandon Fontenot and Senior Agent Garrett Kirkland of the LDWF are working on the investigation.
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