Smuggled spider monkeys confiscated at Texas border crossing
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials found four endangered spider monkeys in a duffle bag during a Dec. 30 inspection of a vehicle crossing into Progreso, Texas. (CBP Photo)
by: Sandra Sanchez
Fox8 News
U.S. Customs and Border Protection article LINK
January 4, 2022
McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A barrel of spider monkeys has been confiscated by federal officials at a port of entry in Progreso, Texas, where they said someone was trying to illegally smuggle the endangered species across the border.
The four spider monkeys were not declared by the female 20-year-old driver as she approached the Progreso International Bridge on Dec. 30, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Tuesday.
The woman, a U.S. citizen, was sent to secondary inspection where the four monkeys were discovered “concealed inside a duffle bag,” in the Jeep, CBP said in a news release.
The spider monkeys were found by CBP officers on Dec. 30 while inspecting a Jeep at the Progreso Port of Entry in South Texas. (CBP Photo)
“While conducting their inspections, our officers will often encounter a myriad of prohibited agriculture products,” Progreso Port Director Walter Weaver said. “Sometimes these encounters yield hidden exotic animals, such as in this case.”
Spider monkeys are endangered under the Endangered Species Act and are typically found in tropical forests of Central and South America.
The driver was issued a penalty and CBP officials said they returned the monkeys to Mexico.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@borderreport.com.