Sick way smugglers snuck vipers, caimans and crocodile over US-Mexico border
A pair of accused smugglers allegedly tried to sneak more than 60 protected reptiles across the US-Mexico border in a vile scheme that left many of the animals dead, federal prosecutors say.Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, of Tijuana, was arrested last Monday as she allegedly tried to cross into the US in a Volkswagen packed with a bizarre haul: four venomous pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile and more than 60 other reptiles.A pair of accused smugglers sneaked more than 60 protected reptiles over the Mexican border in a vile scheme that left many of the animals dead, federal prosecutors say.The Mexican national, 66, ran a years-long scheme to smuggle exotic reptiles in and out of the US with her trafficking partner, Salvador Pelayo of Chula Vista.Pelayo, 28, was arrested in July and, like Chavez, faces federal charges in the US for trafficking exotic wildlife.On the morning of August 10, Chavez applied for entry into the US at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, telling a Customs and Border Protection officer that she had nothing to declare, court papers state.While checking her identification, the officer discovered that Chavez had an arrest warrant related to a long-term wildlife trafficking investigation.
She was taken into custody, and her vehicle was seized.The following morning, CBP officers assigned to the seized-vehicle lot inspected Chavez’s red Volkswagen, where they made a sickening discovery: A compartment behind the rear bench seat contained pillowcases that had been knotted closed and sealed with tape.One of the pillowcases was moving, as if something living were inside.The CPB officer called for backup.That day, the pillowcases were transported to the San Diego Zoo for examination and handling.Zoo staff opened the packages and found 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, one baby crocodile, and one indigo snake.All three caimans died before the San Diego Zoo could save them.
As of last week, the remaining an...