Officers with Florida Fish and Wildlife and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in refence to 5 individuals picking palmetto berries. Due to their medicinal qualities, there is a high demand and profit potential for palmetto berries. However, in the state of Florida, it is illegal to harvest palmetto berries without a permit as they play a vital role in the ecosystem and illegal harvesting depletes food sources for wildlife. Poaching palmetto berries is now a felony offense in Florida. <br /><br />All 5 were initially charged with harvesting an endangered plant without a permit, armed trespassing, and resisting an officer without violence. They all negotiated plea deals<br /><br />#arrest #florida #hunting #fishing
