Though they’re usually intervening in illegal immigrant and drug trafficking schemes, Chilean officials put the kibosh on a massive illicit shipment of 427 exotic animals en route from Peru to Chile early this year.
According to the Associated Press, Chilean authorities detained the yacht carrying three toucans, 11 alligators, 20 parrots, 20 macaws, 25 squirrels and 348 turtles near the city of Arica, Chile. The total number of animals was appraised at more than $35,000.
The Chilean Agricultural Service says the skipper will likely be charged with transport of contraband, trade in protected species, and animal mistreatment. As for the captured critters, they were returned to Peru.