Indiana Conservation Officers arrestedtwo males for the possession of ginseng out of season, along with additional drug and alcohol charges.
Daniel D. Craig, 67, of Dupont was arrested and jailed at Jennings County on the following charges: Possession of Ginseng out of Season, B Misdemeanor; Theft of Ginseng, Level 6 Felony; Transporting Untaxed Liquor, Level 6 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony; Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor; Trespassing, A Misdemeanor; and Cultivating Marijuana, A Misdemeanor.
Jacob Smith, 32, of Dupont was arrested and jailed at Jefferson County on the following charges: Possession of Ginseng out of Season, B Misdemeanor; Possession of a Wild Animal Without a Permit, C Misdemeanor; Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony; Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor; Cultivating Marijuana, A Misdemeanor; Possession of Stolen Property, Level 6 Felony; Unlicensed Still Equipment, C Misdemeanor; and Possession of Untaxed Liquor, C Misdemeanor.
On Wednesday August 9, 2017 around 3:40 p.m. Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on Daniel near the 4000 block of South 380 East in Dupont.
Three pounds of green ginseng, methamphetamine and un-taxed liquor was located in Daniel’s vehicle and consent to search his residence was given.
ICO’s, ISP, and Excise conducted the search of Daniel’s residence where they located drug paraphernalia and marijuana plants at the residence as well.
On Thursday August 10, 2017 an interview was conducted with Jacob following information obtained during the search the previous day. Jacob gave consent to search his residence.
ICO’s conducted a search of Jacob’s residence where they located a coyote pup and a whiskey still.
After a search warrant was obtained for the residence, ICO’s located ginseng inside the residence.
Officers also located stolen property, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, marijuana plants, and un-taxed liquor.
The investigation is still underway at this point.
The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Ginseng may be lawfully harvested in Indiana starting on September 1 of each year through December 31.
Ginseng must be sold prior to the beginning of the following year. Indiana Conservation Officers encourage citizens to contact 1-800-TIP-IDNR or ICO Central Dispatch at 812-873-9536 to report any ginseng violations.
