Three men accused of illegally selling migratory birds in Puerto Rico

A federal grand jury accused three men of conspiring to participate in the illegal migratory bird trade and they were arrested yesterday by agents of the Fish and Wildlife Service along with members of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER).

One of the defendants was identified as Carlos Flores Ríos, who has one count of conspiracy, five counts of selling, offering to sell, and trading migratory birds; and an indictment for wildlife and plant trade. The bird he was trying to sell was short-eared owls.

Another accused is Edgardo Marín Candelario, who is facing conspiracy charges and a charge for wildlife trafficking. He sold two little owls, the federal prosecutor’s office reported in a press release.

The third defendant is Misael Cruz Rivera, who is accused of selling, offering and trading migratory birds, especially an American kestrel, another type of bird.

According to federal charges, these people kept the animals in temporary housing in which they managed to sell them. The birds offered them through private chat groups on the Internet.

If convicted, suspects could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $ 250,000 for conspiring to participate in the illegal migratory bird trade and every Lacey Act counts; and up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $ 250,000.00 for each count of the Migratory Bird Act.

Assistant Attorney of the United States, Carmen M. Márquez Marín, is charged with prosecuting the case.

“The illegal trade in migratory birds is a serious threat to our ecosystems”, stressed the head of the federal prosecutor’s office in Puerto Rico, Stephen Muldrow.

The official stressed that his office will continue to prosecute anyone who participates in the illegal sale of protected wildlife.

For his part, the DNER’s secretary, Rafael Marchargo, called on citizens not to promote such practices.

“Sellers and potential buyers of these animals know that federal authorities are working with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to investigate the possession and sale of these species. It’s illegal threaten the flora and fauna of Puerto Rico and, more alarmingly, could even pose a danger to people’s lives“he claimed.