‘No monkey business, please’: Woman caught trying to smuggle spider monkeys across the border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stopped a woman who attempted to smuggle several spider monkeys into the country.

On Dec. 30, 2021, the woman, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, attempted to enter the United States at the Progreso International Bridge. While inspecting her vehicle, CBP officers found four spider monkeys hidden inside a duffle bag.

CBP seized the spider monkeys and issued the woman a penalty.

The spider monkeys, considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act, were returned to Mexico, CBP said.

“While conducting their inspections, our officers will often encounter a myriad of prohibited agriculture products,” said Progreso Port Director Walter Weaver. “Sometimes these encounters yield hidden exotic animals, such as in this case.”

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