Officers from the Road Safety Squadron “Sierra Grande” conducted an operation on National Route Nº 3 in the province of Chubut, where they detected a suspicious package coming from Buenos Aires and destined for Comodoro Rivadavia. When scanned, the officers observed unusual organic images inside plastic bottles: they were African geckos.
The incident was discovered after opening the package in the presence of witnesses, where they found three specimens of Tropical House Gecko, an exotic species native to Africa. The animals were handed over to the Regional Fauna area of San Antonio Oeste for safekeeping and health evaluation.
The operation is part of the Law 22.421 on the Conservation of Wildlife, which aims to protect native species and prevent the introduction or illegal trafficking of exotic animals, a practice that endangers local biodiversity.
During the controls, other vehicles with irregularities were also intercepted, including one transporting money without legal backing and another with prohibited plants and seeds, reinforcing the need to strengthen environmental and customs control mechanisms.
Wildlife trafficking: a silent threat in Argentina
The illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the country’s most widespread environmental crimes. Each year, thousands of animals are taken from their habitat to be sold as pets, collectibles, or inputs for illegal trade.
Among the most trafficked species are parrots, toucans, turtles, iguanas, boas, and small mammals. This activity not only causes suffering and high mortality during transport but also leads to ecological imbalances and biodiversity loss.
In recent years, security forces and environmental agencies have increased operations, but trafficking networks continue to operate through packages, land transport, and online commerce, exploiting legal loopholes and lack of control in certain regions.
The introduction of exotic species, such as the seized African geckos, also poses a health and ecological risk, as they can compete with native fauna or transmit diseases to other animals and humans.
Laws and penalties against this crime
In Argentina, the Law 22.421 on the Conservation of Wildlife establishes the protection of all native species, prohibits their capture, commercialization, or transport without authorization and penalizes the introduction of exotic species.
Violations can result in prison sentences of 1 month to 4 years, economic fines, and the confiscation of animals, which are handed over to rescue centers or released when possible.
Additionally, the Law 25.246 on Concealment and Money Laundering allows for the investigation of financial flows associated with these types of crimes, as wildlife trafficking is often linked to other illicit activities, such as smuggling or money laundering.
Strengthening controls, environmental education, and cooperation between provinces are key to stopping a trade that threatens biodiversity and undermines the balance of Argentine ecosystems.
