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    - Photo via Ministry of Security - |
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Published on Tuesday, February 22,
2022
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Police officers at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela Province arrested a U.S. citizen on suspicion of wildlife trafficking, reported the Ministry of Security.
According to the police report, the case began on Saturday when a couple was about to leave the country.
During a routine baggage inspection at the departure checkpoint, officers detected strange objects in the woman's luggage.
Following the protocols before the suspicion of illicit cargo, the luggage was fully examined by the officers, finding 14 dead cicadas hidden among the woman's belongings, as well as several seeds and plant sprouts.
The Cicada is an insect native to Europe and Africa that now can be found in almost every country.
The animals, seeds and plants were seized in coordination with officials from the National Animal Health Service, as part of the evidence in the case.
Only the woman surnamed
Vásquez was arrested and taken to the
cells of the Public Ministry as
suspect of trafficking in flora and
fauna and infraction of the Wildlife
Law.
One of the biggest problems that threaten wildlife in the country is the illegal extraction of species from the natural habitat to keep them as pets, traffic them or even keep them as souvenirs.
Park rangers of the Guanacaste Conservation Area launched a campaign to raise awareness in people about the importance of taking actions to prevent and reduce the negative impact caused by the extraction of wildlife.
Trading or capturing wild animals for captivity is a crime in Costa Rica.
Wild flora and fauna are protected by Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317. According to the law, those who are found guilty of keeping wild animals will be fined between $1,400 and $2,800. In the case of wild animals in danger of extinction or with small populations, these fines could be higher.
Under the law, any person who is found responsible for committing an environmental or wildlife crime could face a prison sentence of one year.
Agents of the National Animal Health Service ask for people to report any suspicion of captivity or trade of wild animals to the 911 line. ----------------- What have you heard of expats trafficking wild animals from Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com   
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