Galápagos marine iguanas seized in Quito trafficking investigation

A Russian national, Olga Gennadievna Kolchevskaya, was detained at Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport after authorities discovered 32 juvenile marine iguanas hidden in her luggage. The suspect claimed the animals were intended as souvenirs for her family, stating she purchased them in Quito. However, preliminary investigations indicate she has no record of entering the Galápagos Islands, suggesting the animals were illegally transported from the islands to the mainland by others before being handed over.

Environmental groups, including the Proyecto Sacha Foundation, warn that this incident is part of a recurring pattern rather than an isolated event. Similar seizures occurred in Guayaquil in May, involving 12 marine iguanas. Experts suggest these repeated successes in bypassing biosecurity and customs controls between the Galápagos and the mainland may indicate an organized trafficking network with internal operational knowledge.

Reports indicate that wildlife is often moved via maritime routes from ports like Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo to mainland hubs such as Guayaquil or Manta, with Peru sometimes serving as an intermediary for distribution to Asia, Europe, or North America. Air routes through Baltra and San Cristóbal are also utilized to move species to Quito and Guayaquil. The high international market value of these species drives the trade; for example, pink Galápagos iguanas can be valued between $25,000 and $500,000.