Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, a 66-year-old resident of Tijuana, was arrested on August 10 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry while attempting to enter the U.S. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered 69 live animals, including venomous vipers, caimans, and a baby crocodile, concealed in taped-shut pillowcases within a hidden compartment of her Volkswagen. The discovery occurred the following day during a vehicle inspection after Chavez was found to have an outstanding warrant related to a wildlife trafficking investigation.
The animals were taken to the San Diego Zoo, where 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile, and an indigo snake were identified. Unfortunately, all three caimans died due to the conditions they were kept in for nearly 24 hours. Chavez has pleaded not guilty to federal wildlife trafficking charges and is being held without bond. Her alleged accomplice, Salvador Pelayo, was arrested in July and has also pleaded not guilty.
The arrests followed an 18-month undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which indicated that Chavez and Pelayo had been involved in wildlife trafficking since 2023, reportedly earning tens of thousands of dollars from selling exotic animals. They face charges under the Lacey Act, which could result in a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.