A woman identified by federal prosecutors as a Tijuana resident was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border before U.S.Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 69 live animals — including venomous vipers, caimans and a baby crocodile — allegedly stuffed inside taped-shut pillowcases in a hidden compartment of her Volkswagen the following day, according to the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, 66, of Tijuana, was arrested Aug.10 while attempting to enter the U.S.
through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the Justice Department said.Chavez allegedly told a CBP officer she had nothing to declare, but a records check revealed an outstanding warrant tied to a wildlife trafficking investigation.CBP seized the Volkswagen, but officers did not discover the animals until they inspected it the following morning.
Behind the rear seat, they found a concealed factory compartment containing pillowcases that had been knotted shut and sealed with tape.BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER RPG LAUNCHER, CACHE OF RIFLES HIDDEN IN VEHICLE HEADING TO MEXICOGeorgina Bribiesca Chavez is seen at a Carlsbad outlet shopping center on March 5, 2025, left, and at a San Diego shipping center during an investigation into alleged wildlife trafficking.(United States Department of Justice)One of the pillowcases was moving.The bags were taken to the San Diego Zoo, where workers found 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile and an indigo snake, according to the DOJ.Prosecutors said Chavez never told officers about the animals, leaving them inside the vehicle for nearly 24 hours in the August heat.
All three caimans died.The other animals were stable and remained in the zoo's care as of last week.Chavez pleaded not guilty to a federal wildlife trafficking charge and was ordered held without bond.
Her alleged trafficking partner, Salvador Pelayo, 28, of Chula Vista, was arrested in July and ha...