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Animal trafficking is a huge problem for authorities worldwide. Criminals smuggle exotic and protected species across borders for profit. Consequently, law enforcement and conservationist organizations work to stop the crimes and catch those responsible. As such, it’s always great to hear about a victory. A victory like authorities recovering five live monkeys from a car at a checkpoint.

There was no monkey business when Texas border authorities recovered five monkeys from a hiding spot in a car

Texas is a big place. Real big. The Lone Star State is roughly the size of France, a country of over 68 million people. Texas, on the other hand, is home to about 30 million people. That means there’s a lot of wide open country for drivers to travel. Plenty of space for an animal-trafficking criminal to get away with live monkeys.

Fortunately, that’s not how it went down this time. Texas border authorities stopped a vehicle at a checkpoint in the Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV). That’s fairly typical; RGV checkpoints handle tens of thousands of cars every day, per U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, a K-9 unit identified something peculiar about a vehicle making the crossing.

The Texas border authorities heeded the dog’s alert and chose to inspect the car at the Javier Vega, Jr. checkpoint. After a “brief inspection,” CBP agents found five monkeys hidden out of sight in the vehicle.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Dr. Pat Burchfield, an executive director and CEO at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas told MySA that animal trafficking cases involving monkeys are on the rise.

Tragically, wealthy buyers are willing to spend $8,000 or more to secure baby primates. Burchfield said that demand is rising as buyers want the little animals as “status symbols” or “cute pets.” Baby Mexican spider monkeys are some of the animals in the highest demand. Last year, authorities recovered 20 infant Mexican spider monkeys from vehicle checkpoints in South Texas.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.