Sarmad Ghaled Dafar, 33, was sentenced to four months in custody for trafficking baby Mexican spider monkeys into San Diego. U.S. authorities intercepted three primates smuggled across the border and discovered Dafar's involvement through digital communications. The endangered species requires constant care, and their illegal removal from mothers poses health risks and harms ecosystems. Dafar also faces financial restitution for the monkeys' care after being apprehended previously for similar crimes involving other baby monkeys. The confiscated primates were temporarily held at the San Diego Zoo before being relocated to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago for permanent care.
"This crime ripped weeks-old baby monkeys from their mothers, disrupted fragile ecosystems, endangered a vulnerable species, and posed significant public health risks," said U.S. Atty. Adam Gordon in a statement.
The species is endangered, and infants require constant, skilled care to survive.
In his plea agreement, Dafar admitted to coordinating the trafficking of baby spider monkeys, receiving them in the U.S. and arranging their sale.
The three confiscated monkeys - named Chrissy, Jack and Janet - were temporarily quarantined at the San Diego Zoo.
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