Border agents seize 69 live animals hidden in car compartment

Federal authorities arrested Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, a 66-year-old resident of Tijuana, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on August 10. While Chavez initially claimed she had nothing to declare, a records check revealed an outstanding warrant related to a wildlife trafficking investigation.

Following the arrest, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected Chavez’s Volkswagen the next morning and discovered a hidden factory compartment behind the rear seat. Inside the compartment, officials found taped-up pillowcases containing 69 live animals. The animals, which included 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile, and an indigo snake, were transported to the San Diego Zoo.

Prosecutors stated that the animals were left in the vehicle for nearly 24 hours in August heat without being reported. Consequently, all three caimans died, though the remaining animals were reported as stable. Chavez has pleaded not guilty to federal wildlife trafficking charges and is being held without bond. An alleged trafficking partner, Salvador Pelayo, was arrested in July and has also entered a not guilty plea.