Illegal Harvesting of Ginseng Results in Arrests

West Virginia natural resources police say they have made 11 arrests and seized 190 pounds of dry ginseng that was illegally harvested.

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources estimates the market value of the native herb at $180,000.

The department said yesterday the arrests followed a year-long investigation in southern West Virginia.

West Virginia has a ginseng digging season. It begins Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

The department says the seized ginseng was harvested before the digging season began.

Natural resources officials say demand has spurred illegal harvesting.