In Brownsville, Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection performed a secondary inspection on a 2020 Mitsubishi while crossing into the United States at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge. Here, CBP discovered three live monkeys the driver concealed, leading them to seize the vehicle. In the CBP local media release below, Roderick Kise outlines the story details and explanation behind the vehicle seizure:
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted three live monkeys in a vehicle in a single enforcement action.
“Our CBP officers remain vigilant as they perform their duties to keep our borders secure and their diligence led them to the discovery of three live monkeys,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “We remain committed to preventing the exploitation of protected animals and the spread of animal diseases.”
The incident occurred on Dec. 22, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 48-year-old male United States citizen attempted entry into the United States in a 2020 Mitsubishi. CBP officers referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection. In secondary, CBP officers discovered three live monkeys hidden inside the vehicle.
HSI initiated a criminal investigation, seized the vehicle, and arrested the driver. The monkeys were turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife and will be housed at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.
Some monkeys are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Their importation is regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ultimately, monkeys are prohibited from importation as pets.
Here at San Diego Defenders Forfeiture Law Firm, we have helped people get their seized vehicles back for various items, including pesticides, freon gas, medications, and more.
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San Diego Defenders Forfeiture Law Firm can assist in these complex vehicle seizure matters. We do not take forfeiture cases that we think we cannot win, which is supported by our track record and reputation within this specialized legal field. Read the reviews our clients submitted. We are a small but well-known office by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and believe we can assist in getting most clients’ assets, that is, money returned.
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