U.S. border agents recently uncovered a variety of endangered reptiles when they stopped a woman named Georgina Bribiesca Chavez at the border with Mexico. Chavez, 66, from Tijuana, was found with moving pillowcases in her car, leading to her arrest.
Chavez was detained on wildlife trafficking charges after allegedly being part of a long-term reptile smuggling operation. Her alleged partner, Salvador Pelayo, arrested in July, faced similar charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California provided this information.
Chavez attempted to cross into Mexico on August 10 but was caught due to an outstanding arrest warrant. Customs and Border Protection officers seized her vehicle and took her into custody. During a search, officers found a hidden compartment behind a rear seat filled with pillowcases, which they transferred to the San Diego Zoo.
Zoo staff opened the pillowcases, uncovering rare species including 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile, and an indigo snake. Many of these species are endangered and protected by international agreements. Unfortunately, the caimans were dead upon arrival at the zoo.
“These animals were not cargo—they were living creatures subjected to dangerous conditions for profit,” stated U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
Officials said the remaining reptiles were stable and receiving care at the zoo. The U.S. Attorney’s office noted that Chavez never informed officers about the animals, leaving them in the car for nearly a day in the August heat.
Chavez pleaded not guilty during her first court appearance on the charges. Pelayo also entered a not guilty plea. Court documents indicate the two began trafficking exotic reptiles into the U.S. in 2023 to sell them. This illicit activity triggered an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, revealing their involvement in selling protected turtles through undercover operations.
Authorities allege Chavez and Pelayo earned tens of thousands of dollars from these illegal animal sales.