2 Arrested For Illegally Harvesting Saw Palmetto Berries In FL: HCSO

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Two people face charges for illegally harvesting 801 pounds of saw palmetto berries, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

A property owner in the 5000 block of US Highway 41 reported seeing two trespassers harvesting palmetto berries on their property on Monday.

The owner provided a photo of their vehicle, which helped deputies find Heladio Gonzalez-Hernandez, 39, and Maria Hernandez-Santiago, 42, at a home in Plant City, the sheriff’s office said. They were arrested and taken into custody without incident.

They were each charged with possession or exchange of unlawfully harvested saw palmetto berries and unlawful destruction or harvest of saw palmetto berries.

"I could not be more proud of the work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does here in our community, standing as a frontline defender for our county's natural resources," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Their commitment ensures that these resources are protected from reckless exploitation, protecting the future of our habitats and preserving the environment for generations to come."