Khabarovsk resident traded fuel and parts for 158 kg of illegal sturgeon; case sent to court

A resident of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, has had his case sent to court for purchasing illegally caught sturgeon. According to the press service of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Khabarovsk Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, as reported to Fishnews, the man is accused of obtaining more than 158 kg of sturgeon in exchange for fuel and parts.

Law enforcement authorities determined that the acts in question occurred last April. The man arranged a barter transaction with an acquaintance from Nikolayevsky District, then met with the other party and took away six bags containing pieces of Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus) and Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). On the way back, the man was caught by law enforcement officers.

The suspect is accused of the offense stipulated in Part 1 of Article 258.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, namely the illegal purchase, storage and transportation of aquatic biological resources and their parts listed in the "Red Book."

According to the Investigative Committee, the case has been sent to court. The individuals who illegally caught this batch of fish have already been found guilty.