United States of America v. Georgina Bribiesca Chavez

San Diego, California criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with participating in a years-long scheme to smuggle exotic reptiles into and out of the United States in violation of the Lacey Act Trafficking, 16 U.S.C. 3372(a)(1) and 16 U.S.C. 3373(d)(1)(B).


Reported by Kent Morlan

On the morning of August 10, 2026, Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, age 66, of Tijuana, Mexico, applied for entry into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. She told a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that she had nothing to declare. While checking her identification, the officer discovered that Chavez had an outstanding arrest warrant related to a long-term wildlife trafficking investigation. She was taken into custody, and her vehicle was seized.

The following morning, CBP officers assigned to the seized-vehicle lot inspected Chavez’s red Volkswagen. Inside, they discovered a concealed factory compartment behind the rear bench seat. The compartment contained pillowcases that had been knotted closed and sealed with tape. One of the pillowcases was moving. The officer called for backup.

Later that day, the pillowcases were transported to the San Diego Zoo for examination and handling. Zoo staff carefully opened the packages and discovered the 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, one baby crocodile, and one indigo snake. Several of these species are protected under international treaties because of their endangered or threatened status.

Even after her arrest, Chavez never told CBP officers about the live animals in her car, leaving them abandoned for nearly 24 hours in the August heat in San Ysidro. All three caimans died before the San Diego Zoo could provide care. The remaining animals were stable and remained under the Zoo’s care.

A criminal indictment is not proof of guilt.

Maximum penalty for violating the Lacey Act Trafficking Act is five years in prison and $250,000 fine.