Man Caught With 360 Sea Turtle Eggs in Mexico Metro

Mexico City — Authorities confirmed the detention of a man who was transporting 360 sea turtle eggs within the facilities of the Mexico City Metro system. The seizure occurred on Saturday, November 1, at the Chabacano station on Line 8, after a user alerted elements of the Policía Bancaria e Industrial (PBI) to a person carrying several bags with suspicious contents.

The agents approached the individual, who displayed an evasive attitude. In accordance with the security protocols of the Mexico City Metro, the officers conducted a preventive inspection. During the search, they located various bags containing sea turtle eggs, a species protected by Mexican federal legislation.

The Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) reported that the man, approximately 45 years old, could not prove the legal origin of the biological material. Consequently, he was detained and presented before an agent of the Ministerio Público of the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), along with the 360 seized eggs.

Peripheral personnel confirmed the total number and classified the incident as a possible environmental crime.

A Violation of Federal Law

The transport and trade of sea turtle eggs constitute a violation of the Ley General de Vida Silvestre and the Norma Oficial Mexicana, which protects these species in the country. These species are endangered, and their exploitation, sale, or transport without authorization represents a federal crime.

According to the Código Penal Federal, anyone who captures, transports, or trades products derived from sea turtles can receive a prison sentence of one to nine years, in addition to financial fines.

Investigation into a Possible Wildlife Trafficking Network

The Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana emphasized that the Mexico City Metro case will be turned over to the competent authorities to continue with the investigations and determine if there are networks dedicated to wildlife trafficking.

It is worth noting that Mexico is home to seven of the world's eight most recognized species of sea turtles. However, the extraction and consumption of their eggs remains a frequent illegal practice in several regions of the country. The Secretaría de Medio Ambiente has indicated that this activity causes a significant decrease in populations by reducing the number of offspring that reach adulthood.