Several species of wild animals of African, North American and Central American origin were seized this Tuesday morning (19) by the Environmental Military Police of Blumenau, Santa Catarina.
Of the 36 animals found in illegal captivity, 33 were exotic, including 13 snakes, 13 amphibians and seven fish. In addition, three native birds were confiscated. There is no estimate of the “commercial” value.
According to the complaint received, the man found would be offering the species via WhatsApp, but at the time of arrest he claimed to keep the animals as a hobby.
The 27-year-old subject was detained, but will not be imprisoned, being criminally and administratively liable for having committed the crimes provided for in articles 29, § 1, item III, § 3 and 31 of Federal Law 9.605/98.
Despite the most recent data indicating that the penalty for this type of crime is from three months to one year with a fine, there are two projects being processed in the Senate — one by Senator Rose de Freitas (Podes-ES) and another by Senator Confúcio Moura ( MDB-RO) — proposing that the penalty be harsher for those who traffic wild animals.
According to the senator’s text, the illegal animal trade moves up to US$20 billion per year, with Brazil’s participation in 5 to 15% of this total and, according to the United Nations (UN), it is the third clandestine activity that most generates money, second only to drug and arms trafficking. Police also confirmed the data.
* Under supervision of Giulia Alecrim
Source: CNN Brasil