FDACS Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement Makes Arrests of Three Individuals Illegally Harvesting Saw Palmetto Berries

Tallahassee, Fla. – Last week, investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) conducted an enforcement initiative to address the illegal harvest of saw palmetto berries. The palmetto plant is listed on FDACS commercially exploited plant index, and the harvesting of saw palmetto berries in Florida requires a permit from FDACS.

OALE investigators conducted proactive patrols in Martin and Palm Beach counties to address the illegal harvest violations and associated offenses such as trespassing and theft. During the enforcement initiative, three suspects were observed attempting to sell saw palmetto berries at a local buyer in Indiantown in Martin County. The local buyer was operating out of a permanently parked travel trailer that is used seasonally for buying palmetto berries. OALE investigators conducted an inspection and determined that none of the three suspects had the required permit to possess and/or transport saw palmetto berries.

“I am grateful for our department’s law enforcement investigators who are working diligently every day to safeguard our state, including protecting landowners and our natural resources from illegal harvesting,” said Commissioner Fried. “With recent arrests of those illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries, we are sending a strong message that you either follow the rules and obtain an FDACS permit or there will be serious consequences.”

The three suspects were issued Notices to Appear (NTA) and released with the requirement to appear before the Martin County Court at a later date on the following charges:

• Violation of Section 581.185, F.S., Preservation of Native Flora of Florida-Harvesting Endangered Plant Without a Permit, First-Degree Misdemeanor, 1 count each.

Arrestee Information:

• Arrestee: Marie Felix-Andres, H/F, DOB: 04/23/1983, Stuart, FL
• Arrestee: Rafael Lopez Diaz, H/M, DOB: 11/28/1969, Hobe Sound, FL
• Arrestee: Manuel Perez-Velasquez, H/M, DOB: 02/26/1979, West Palm Beach, FL

To learn more about saw palmetto berry harvesting, including the permit, laws, and frequently asked questions, click here or contact the FDACS Division of Plant Industry Helpline at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov.

###