Within the framework of a river control, environmental protection and defense of strategic ecosystems operation, the Colombian Navy, jointly with Colombian National Army and coordinated with the National Police, reported arrests in flagrante delicto of two people for the crime of illegal trafficking of wild fauna and flora, in a rural area of the municipality of Mapiripán, department of Meta.
The operation was carried out during patrol, search and control work in the village of Muelle Mapiripán on the Guaviare River, where the authorities intercepted the individuals when they were illegally transporting several specimens of wildlife, evidencing a serious loss to the biodiversity of the region and irreparable damage to aquatic and coastal ecosystems.
During the procedure it was possible to recover and transfer to the environmental authority Corpomacarena 13 lifeless specimens of babilla (eyeglass caiman), five live Galapagos turtles and 139 eggs of this same specimen, which play a fundamental role in the ecological balance of rivers and wetlands. The death and illegal extraction of these animals represents a serious threat to the conservation of protected specimens and constitutes a cruel activity that violates the environmental sustainability of the Colombian Amazon.
Those arrested were put into custody of the Attorney General's Office to conduct the corresponding judicial process for the crime of illegal trafficking of fauna and flora.
Through this result of the military operation, the Colombian Navy reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of the environment, the defense of biodiversity and the frontal fight against environmental crimes that attack wildlife and the natural heritage of the Nation, contributing to preserving ecosystems for future generations and working to increase environmental security in the regions.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
