Texas Parks and Wildlife in Texas, U.S.A., allege that a prominent Houston restaurateur and several commercial fishermen have been operating an illegal seafood network worth more than USD 400,000 (EUR 376,772) for several years.
Since 2013, a group of about 12 unlicensed commercial fishermen sold 28,000 pounds worth of illegal red snapper, tuna, amberjack, grouper, red drum and other species, according to a TPW statement.
TPW said Bruce Molzan, founder of Ruggles Black and Ruggles Green restaurants, sold the fish at his restaurants. Another restaurant also illegally sold shrimp to Molzan, violating commercial fish wholesale regulations, according to the agency.
“Not only did these unscrupulous actors violate recreational fishing regulations at an extreme level for personal profit, but they also circumvented restrictions and rules governing the possession, safe handling and sale of commercial aquatic products intended for human consumption,” said Col. Craig Hunter, TPWD law enforcement director. “That is not something we in law enforcement will tolerate and we are confident these individuals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows.”
Game wardens issued more than 200 Class C misdemeanor citations related to the investigation for several violations, including unlawful purchase of aquatic products by a restaurant, sales and purchases of protected finfish and operating without a wholesale fish dealer’s license.
“Additional cases are anticipated,” TPW said.
The scope of the investigation expanded significantly last April after U.S. Coast Guard crews stopped an unlicensed commercial fishing boat in coastal waters near Freeport with 488 red snapper weighing approximately 1,900 pounds.
“Texas game wardens and the National Marine Fisheries Service seized the fish, which were illegally caught in the Gulf of Mexico off Freeport and Galveston, and investigators were able to link the subjects with the illegal seafood operation,” TPW said.
In addition, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) filed felony charges against two recreational anglers in Freeport in connection with the case.
Jessica Nunez of TruePoint Communications, which represents Ruggles Green, said Molzan has not been assicated with the restaurant since October 2016.
"Under its new ownership, Ruggles Green has not served any illegal seafood, has not received any citations in connection with this investigation and ensures lawful and sustainable practices," Nunez said. "We stand behind our processes to provide guests with the highest quality of food."
