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Shade Road west of Washington.
Speaking in general terms only, William L. Woodfin Jr., director of the state game department, said any searches in Rappahannock were the result of a three-year investigation “into illegal hunting and commercialization of American black bears in Virginia and in Shenandoah National Park.”
Parts from Virginia’s bears are in increasing demand by Asian consumers, Woodfin noted, probably because Asian bears are becoming scarce.
“Many people from Asian cultures believe bear parts, particularly gall bladder, have medicinal value for treating and preventing a variety of ailments,” he said.
“A single gall bladder can be sold at auction overseas for thousands of dollars.
“Dried and sold by the gram, bear gall bladders have a street value greater than cocaine.”
In this operation, 300 gall bladders were purchased or seized. Officials estimated their value at $75,000 in the U.S., $3 million on the international market.
Federal search warrants were also executed in Madison County and near Petersburg, West Virginia.
Items seized at all the locations included five vehicles, several freezers, and an assortment of bear parts, firearms, and cash, according to a state game department press release.
Col. Jeff Uerz, chief of law enforcement for the state game department, said the investigation was sparked Several years ago by tips from law-abiding hunters.
Undercover agents infiltrated the poachers’ circles, “a very difficult job,” said Uerz.
Under federal law, it is a
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