# Galápagos marine iguana trafficking > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/galpagos-marine-iguana-trafficking > Updated: 2026-09-08T02:50:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. A series of wildlife trafficking incidents involving Galápagos marine iguanas has highlighted vulnerabilities in biosecurity between the archipelago and mainland Ecuador. In May 2026, twelve iguanas were seized from three Thai citizens at Guayaquil airport. This was followed in August by the detention of a Russian national at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport, who was found with 32 juvenile iguanas in her luggage. While the suspect claimed the animals were souvenirs, investigators noted she had no record of visiting the Galápagos, suggesting an organized network may be moving the species to the mainland via maritime or air routes. These repeated seizures have sparked debate regarding potential negligence and gaps in scanning procedures by aviation and environmental authorities. In response to concerns that traffickers are successfully bypassing controls, Alicia Jaramillo, Vice Minister of Environment and Marine Coastal Affairs, stated that the interceptions demonstrate that current systems are working. The Ministry has noted the involvement of the Galápagos National Park Directorate, National Police, Interpol, and the Navy, and has introduced new tools including drones, scanners, and artificial intelligence to enhance monitoring across the coastline. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Galápagos marine iguana trafficking incidents spark biosecurity concerns Two recent attempts to smuggle marine iguanas from the Galápagos Islands through Ecuadorian airports have prompted questions about the effectiveness of regional biosecurity and wildlife trafficking controls. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/galpagos-marine-iguana-trafficking-incidents-spark-biosecurity-concerns ### 2026-08-31: Galápagos marine iguanas seized in Quito trafficking investigation A Russian national was detained in Quito with 32 smuggled Galápagos marine iguanas, raising concerns about organized wildlife trafficking networks in Ecuador. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/galpagos-marine-iguanas-seized-in-quito-trafficking-investigation --- Cite as: Galápagos marine iguana trafficking. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/galpagos-marine-iguana-trafficking