Spanish law enforcement busts illegal animal trafficking ring
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — The Spanish Civil Guard on Tuesday said it had dismantled an illegal animal trafficking ring, including endangered or protected species.
Two men aged 30 and 35 were found with more than 150 animals at an illegal pet store in the town of Nules, in the eastern Valencia region.
Neither had a permit to raise the animals, which they sold on the internet. Both are being prosecuted for trafficking protected species and smuggling, a statement read.
The investigation began several months ago when officers saw a listing on an internet site offering “protected species for sale”.
They then discovered videos of a man raising animals including leopards, owls and llamas.
After finally managing to locate the site in Nules, more than 150 types of 56 exotic species were found in cages, including two ring-tailed lemurs, a Bali starling, a zebra, five kinkajous, four ibises and two meerkats.
The average market value of the seized animals is nearly 70,000 euros ($81,500), the Civil Guard said.
In April, officers dismantled an online trafficking operation in big cats, including white tigers, lynx and pumas in the Balearic Islands.
