Three Mexican men have been indicted for trying to export over 160 endangered species into Mexico, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Texas.
A federal grand jury indicted Jonathan Roberto Rojas-Casados, 32, Roberto Rojas-Ramirez, 50, and Roberto Roman-Alvarez, 17, on Wednesday on two charges of attempted exportation of wildlife.
The men are accused of violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
On Aug. 3, Rojas-Casados and Roman-Alvarez allegedly drove together in a Ford Econoline into the Hidalgo port of entry with Rojas-Ramirez following behind in a separate vehicle as they tried to cross into Mexico.
Authorities stopped them before they could cross and sent both vehicles for inspection. Officers found two boxes inside the Econoline that contained over 160 animals concealed in small plastic containers and fabric bags, according to the charges.
The animals they found were:
>> 10 ball pythons
>> 3 Colombian rainbow boas
>> 2 black and white tegus
>> 6 green iguanas
>> 6 forest armadillo lizards
>> 8 Jackson’s chameleons
>> 2 Russian tortoises
>> 10 red-eyed tree frogs
>> 6 green and black poison dart frogs
>> 10 curly-hair tarantulas
>> 10 emperor scorpions
None of the men had a license or permission from the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce to export the wildlife, which is a violation of the ESA, according to the charges.
The three men face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine if convicted.
