Elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) and other federal authorities seized five properties in the municipalities of Tampico and Altamira, Tamaulipas, including a storage facility, an illegal gas station, a residence, a workshop, and a ranch, where one person was arrested after search warrants were executed.
At the ranch, authorities located and seized 135 exotic animals, including five Bengal tigers, three jaguars, one tiger, and 21 spider monkeys.
They also found two hyenas, three African lions, bison, sulcata tortoises, buffalo, and a camel.
The Security Cabinet reported that at least 35 specimens are at risk under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, including Mexican spider monkeys, jaguars, an ocelot, a green macaw, and American bison, which are classified as endangered species.
There were also bighorn sheep, a green iguana, and an Aztec parakeet, which are subject to special protection.
Other exotic species were also found whose international trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including Bengal tigers, a mandrill, a lemur, African lions, and sulcata tortoises.
The specimens were placed under the custody of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) for evaluation, safekeeping, and specialized management.
At the other properties, authorities seized 68,000 liters of diesel, a tractor-trailer, two tanker trucks, a pickup truck, two frac tanks, two tankers, four pressure pumps, and two reactor tanks.
They also found four storage tanks, a motor pump, hoses, containers associated with the alleged storage and handling of illegally sourced fuel, communications equipment, two firearms, and ammunition.
The detainee was informed of his legal rights and, along with the seized items, was placed at the disposal of the appropriate Public Prosecutor’s Office. The properties were sealed and placed under the custody of the authorities.
Personnel from the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), and state authorities also participated in these operations.
Source: eluniversal
