Oaxaca, Qaxaca — Members of la Guardia Nacional in Oaxaca have seized a large shipment of sea turtle eggs that were being transported in a private vehicle.
The seizure was made along the Pinotepa Nacional-Salina Cruz highway when the vehicle was pulled over for a traffic violation. While writing the ticket, officers noticed a large amount of filled black garbage bags in the bed of the covered truck.
It was during their inspection that they discovered the black garbage bags, which were covered with a green tarp, were filled with sea turtle eggs. Elements of la Guardia Nactional report seizing 17,640 sea turtle eggs from the 36 garbage bags.
The lone occupant of the vehicle was arrested and sent to the Public Ministry of the Federation where his legal status will be determined. It is a federal crime to steal sea turtle eggs in Mexico, a crime punishable by up to nine years in prison.
