Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca — The Oaxaca State Attorney General’s Office has reported the seizure of 30,000 sea turtle eggs found in black bags in the bed of a private pickup truck. The eggs were discovered after the black vehicle was stopped for driving at night without lights.
The man was seen driving along the federal coastal highway 200 in the community of Santa María Huamelula with the lights off. The driver, however, refused to comply with the order to pull over and instead, attempted to flee. After a brief chase, the vehicle was stopped and an inspection underway, which is when the 60 plastic bags of turtle eggs were discovered.
The man was arrested and placed at the disposal of the corresponding federal authority. The 30,000 eggs were seized as well as the truck in which they were transported.
Through a statement, the government of Oaxaca reported that in less than three months, federal officials have now seized more than 79,000 sea turtle eggs, noting that during the month of July, officials seized over 49,000 stolen turtle eggs.
According to the official Mexican standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, most turtle species in Mexico are listed as threatened and are subject to special protection.
