Colombian couple arrested for smuggling baby monkeys in underwear at Cartagena airport

Colombian police detained a 27‑year‑old woman and a 26‑year‑old man at Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena after discovering three infant monkeys concealed inside the couple’s underwear. One monkey died during transport, while the other two were found exhausted and in critical condition.

Authorities said the animals were packed in a sealed space without air, leading police to believe one suffocated. The pair face charges of illegal wildlife exploitation and could receive up to 11 years in prison. A police brigadier general warned, “This practice represents absolute brutality and a serious violation of animal rights.”

Investigators estimate the monkeys could be worth more than $1.4 million on the black market, highlighting the profitability of illegal exotic‑animal trade and raising concerns for the survival of endangered species.