Galax Stem Arrest Near Mount Mitchell

This was on this morning's NPS Report:
01-440 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - Galax Theft Convictions

Jesus Navarro Grimaldo and his brother Reynaldo Navarro Grimaldo (both
undocumented aliens) were arrested on July 31st near Milepost 350. At
the time of apprehension, they had about 7,500 galax stems in their
possession. They were found guilty in magistrate's court on August 1st
and ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and restitution. One was also given
a 30-day prison term. The two men had criminal histories that included
driving under the influence, possession of controlled substances, hit
and run, and giving false information to officers. Rangers Larry
Johnson and John Anthony were the case rangers. On August 3rd, Gabriel
Gutierez-Reyes of Burnsville, North Carolina, was arrested for taking
native plants for commercial uses. He had several thousand galax
stems in his possession. He was sentenced to two months in jail on
August 6th. Gurierez-Reyes has two prior convictions for galax
possession in the park. Supervisory ranger Terry Morris and ranger
Brian Stackowicz were the case rangers. [John Garrison, Protection
Specialist, BLRI, 8/9]
http://www.nps.gov/morningreport/msg00939.html

[Mount Mitchell is Mile Post 355 on the Blue Ridge]


I wasn't sure what Galax Stems were and did a search and found this expanded article on plant poaching on the Blue Ridge including a list of Appalachia's Most Wanted Plants (Ginseng is the big draw with a pound worth more than a week's wages in some countries).

http://www.nwf.org/natlwild/2001/ginseng.html

So at a penny a stem the galax stem theft was worth about $75 and they got into all that trouble.