Roberto Cabrera Arrested Smugging 18 Titi Monkeys to Mexico

by Jordan Yerman | July 20, 2010 at 07:10 am

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Roberto Zavaleta Sol Cabrera Arrested in Monkey Smuggling Attempt

Mexican police arrested Roberto Zavaleta Sol Cabrera at Mexico City International Airport after discovering that he had hidden 18 Titi monkeys underneath his clothing. The tiny monkeys were stuffed into socks to keep them from moving around.

At first, Cabrera described the Titi monkeys as his pets. These monkeys, which Cabrera had acquired in Peru, are a protected species. The monkeys actually made the flight from Peru to Mexico in Cabrera's luggage before he transferred them to a girdle that he wore under his sweater.

Two of the Titi monkeys had died during the journey.

Footage released by Mexican police show the tiny animals, many of which are tied up in socks, squirming in a cardboard box.

A spokesman for Mexico’s Public Safety Department said Cabrera became “markedly nervous” when questioned about what he was carrying.