Vermillion County, IN – Two Vigo County residents face charges after being caught stealing wild ginseng from private property in Vermillion County. The suspects were spotted leaving the land on off-road vehicles, prompting Indiana Conservation Officer Kenton Crews to intervene.
Upon detaining the individuals, Officer Crews conducted interviews and seized the stolen ginseng, as shown in the photo released by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The ginseng will be returned to the landowner.
The suspects are charged with harvesting ginseng without consent, theft, and violating the ginseng harvest season. Indiana law tightly regulates ginseng collection to protect the species, making it illegal to harvest out of season or without permission.
According to the Indiana DNR, such offenses are taken seriously due to the ecological and economic importance of ginseng. The agency encourages landowners to report suspicious activity on their property to prevent further theft of this valuable resource. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Indiana’s conservation officers to protect natural resources and uphold the law.
