Illegal exploitation and transportation of wild orchids will be subject to administrative penalties.

That is the opinion of Dr., Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai - Head of Trong Hai Law Office and Associates regarding the incident in which a number of subjects were detained by the authorities while illegally transporting 235 kg of wild orchid plants (without documents proving legal origin) that occurred on December 3, 2018.

Car seized transporting 235kg of rare wild orchids

(Baonghean.vn) - While performing a patrol mission, the Mobile Traffic Police Team, Ky Son District Police discovered and detained two subjects transporting 235kg of orchid flowers.

This is the number of orchids seized on December 3, 2018. Photo courtesy

Specifically, some wild orchids are forest plants classified as endangered and rare, regulated in the magnolia industry, group 1A, Decree 32/2006/ND-CP of the Government dated March 30, 2006 on management of rare and endangered forest plants and animals. This Decree is supplemented by Decree 160/2013 on criteria for determining species and the management regime of species in the list of endangered and rare species prioritized for protection. Accordingly, this Decree also stipulates that the magnolia industry, including the magnolia class, are endangered and rare forest plants prioritized for protection.

The total weight of orchids confiscated by the authorities was over 235 kg. Photo: Lu Phu

Therefore, the act of exploiting and transporting wild orchids can be subject to administrative penalties depending on the quantity exploited and transported by the person committing the act. Specifically, it is stipulated in Document No. 09/VBHN-BNNPTNT dated July 6, 2017 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on regulations on administrative penalties for violations of forest management, forest development, protection and management of forest products.

Previously, as Baonghean.vn reported: At around 11 p.m. on December 3, while on patrol, the working group (Ky Son District Police) discovered two suspects driving a small car with license plate 37A - 328.06, brand FORD, driven by Nguyen Van Thang (born in 1989), residing in Hamlet 11, Quynh Giang Commune, Quynh Luu, showing signs of suspicion, so the vehicle was inspected. Upon inspection, the authorities discovered that the vehicle was carrying 235 kg of wild orchids, contained in 8 large sacks. When the authorities inspected, the suspects could not prove the legal origin of the flowers.

The authorities have imposed an administrative fine of 5 million VND and temporarily detained the exhibits pending handover to relevant authorities for handling according to the provisions of law.