A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging four Dominican nationals with smuggling wildlife from the United States and Lacey Act trafficking.
Frankluis Carela De Jesús, 32, Waner Balbuena, 35, Juan Graviel Ramírez Cedano, 43, and Domingo Heureau Altagracia, 29, were found to have discarded over 100 tropical birds from a flagless vessel off the coast of Puerto Rico in a brazen attempt to cover up their crimes.
According to court documents, the vessel was stopped by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) 30 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico on May 3, 2024. The crew was seen throwing objects overboard, and upon inspection, the USCG recovered a number of wooden cages containing the deceased tropical birds.
The defendants lacked the necessary licenses to export the wildlife and failed to declare the tropical birds as required by federal regulations governing the exportation of wildlife.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow condemned the defendants’ actions, stating, “The defendants violated laws protecting tropical birds and regulating the international sale and exportation of wildlife. When confronted by law enforcement, the defendants tried to cover up those crimes by killing the protected birds by throwing them into the sea while still in their wooden crates.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director Edward Grace added, “Thanks to the quick actions of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the four smugglers were caught before successfully concealing their crimes and evading capture.”
The defendants are set to face arraignment and detention hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge, with their fate hanging in the balance.
As part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard our borders and protect our communities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains steadfast in their commitment to deterring smuggling activities of all kinds, including the reprehensible trade in wildlife.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, will continue to investigate brazen attempts to smuggle exotic birds from Puerto Rico and work towards fully prosecuting these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.
Coast Guard Sector San Juan Commander Captain José Díaz emphasized, “This successful apprehension of four smugglers highlights the unwavering resolve of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, we work daily to interdict a wide range of illicit activities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
The case serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty and devastation caused by wildlife trafficking, and the importance of protecting our planet’s precious biodiversity.
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Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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