The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office (UFEMA), led by Dr. Blas Matías Michienzi, requested a search warrant for a store in Villa Crespo that was selling garments made with animal skins, leading to the seizure of the found illegal merchandise.
The case originated from a complaint within the framework of efforts against the commercialization of wildlife carried out by the Special Investigations Division of the Buenos Aires City Police.
As a result, UFEMA assigned investigative tasks to the Judicial Investigations Division (CIJ) of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the City and to the Division itself, leading to the determination that a store in the Villa Crespo neighborhood was commercializing clothing without being properly registered as an operator with the relevant authorities.
At the request of UFEMA, Judge Norberto Circo, from the PCyF 23 Court, issued the search warrant for the store located at 800 Serrano Street. The operation was carried out by the Environmental Crimes Division of the Buenos Aires City Police, the Environmental Control Brigade of the National Environment Subsecretariat, the Judicial Investigations Division (CIJ) of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the City, and the General Directorate of Inspection and Control (DGFyC).
“We received the complaint from the Special Crimes Division of the Buenos Aires City Police and called on the Judicial Investigations Division of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to collaborate. They not only conducted fieldwork but also a survey on open networks, and with this information, we proceeded to carry out the search,” stated Dr. Blas Matías Michienzi to Environmental News.
During the operation, 122 garments made with animal skins were seized, with an approximate value of 335 million pesos, including: 82 fox garments (scarves, coats, leathers, patches, wristbands, fur tails, collars), 14 otter garments, 21 leathers, and 2 mink vests, 1 red deer antler, 1 rhea coat, and 1 jaguar coat.
Seizure of Animal Skins
Although all the seized merchandise was in violation, the most significant item in terms of the environment is the jaguar skin, which is expressly protected due to being endangered, as stated in Law 25.463 declaring it a National Natural Monument, the highest level of protection for a species.
“We were all surprised. While we suspected there would be some skins, their commercialization is prohibited, but the discoveries were impressive. We are waiting for this individual and his lawyer to appear and continue with the processing of the case,” added Michienzi to Environmental News.
The premises were immediately closed, and the responsible party was charged with illegally engaging in an activity (using a lawful activity as a front to market the skins) and for the crime of trafficking in wildlife by-products.
He was charged with the infraction under article 86 of the Contravention Code (illegal engagement in an activity) and for illegal possession of wildlife by-products (articles 20, 25, and 27 of Law 22.421 and resolution 170/21 of the Ministry of Environment and Biodiversity).
