A 28-year-old man was arrested Tuesday by federal police agents in possession of 85.9 pounds of totoaba breast, a Gulf of California endemic species that is under threat of extinction, Mexican authorities said.
The suspect, a San Felipe resident, was arrested by the Mexicali-Tijuana Highway while driving a GMC truck with Mexican plates, said the Federal Environmental Prosecutorial agency, or Profepa in Spanish.
Authorities said the 121 breasts belonged to animals over 30 years old with an assessed value of US $150,000 in Mexico, but which could easily multiply several times once in Asia.
The individual was coming from Santa Clara Gulf with his final destination in Tijuana.
The fish parts were wrapped in 33 plastic bags and inside a vehicle tire.
Totoaba macdonaldi has been banned from fishing since 1975 and is included on the list of species under threat of extinction.
The suspect, along with the vehicle and the breasts were transported to Tijuana, where federal prosecutors will decide the arrested man’s legal fate.
Mexico’s Federal Penal Code sets a maximum punishment of 12 years in prison for possession and traffic with financial gain goal of species or parts of wildlife animals considered under threat of extinction.
Man arrested after shooting
A 31-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly fighting against his sibling and shooting a firearm, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 9:26 a.m. a report was made regarding the incident by the mother of the brothers.
The shooting was reported at 1329 Asturias Avenue at Fraccionamiento Villafontana subdivision.
The woman told police officers her children were fighting for an undisclosed issue when the suspect made a shot with a black .32-caliber revolver.
The gun was loaded with 46 cartridges of the same caliber as the revolver.
The men were detained, but only Miguel Alberto was arrested and transported to the police headquarters to begin his criminal processing for attempted murder.
Alleged drug smuggler arrested
A 49-year-old man was arrested close to Downtown Mexicali on a California-registered vehicle used to deliver drugs to users, said the Attorney General’s office.
Special Investigations Coordinator David Lozano said Francisco Javier Nava Flores was arrested at Colonia Bellavista, south of Plaza Cachanilla, while driving a 2006 burgundy Nissan Altima with California plates.
The suspect attempted to flee after observing the state police officers, but was stopped later.
Authorities said the suspect threw a package with several ounces of marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin.
According to Lozano, the suspect admitted the drug was for sale among users living at the neighborhood.
The suspect also accepted he has been selling drugs for several months.
The suspect was arrested and along with the drug and the vehicle was turned to the Drug Smuggling Unit, who will eventually file a lawsuit before a penal judge.
