La Paz, Baja California Sur — Two people are under investigation after being found attempting to steal a live sea turtle. Baja California Sur police were tipped off about the men who were at a beach and in the process of lifting the turtle into the back of a truck.
By the time police arrived, the men had the live sea turtle loaded in the bed of their pickup and were about to drive off. They were arrested and charged with “a crime against biodiversity”, which is a federal offense.
The Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) said “the investigation began as a result of a phone call from Municipal Police officers in La Paz, BCS, who reported the arrest in flagrante of two people who were aboard a vehicle, in which they had a live turtle in the bac.
“The above occurred as a result of following up on a citizen report in which it was indicated that the detainees were loading the aforementioned marine specimen into a vehicle near a beach located in Colonia El Centenario where the arresting elements arrived, who arrested them upon confirming the events.
“Francisco “V” and José “L” were arrested and placed at the disposal of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) who is compiling an investigation against them for the possible commission of a crime against biodiversity, provided for and sanctioned in the Federal Penal Code,” the FGR reported.
In coordination with personnel from the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the Citizens’ Observers Network and the MPF, they released the turtle in a feeding area in the sea of La Paz, BCS, returning this marine species to its natural habitat.
