Three Thai nationals suspected of smuggling Galápagos iguanas arrested in Ecuador
Three Thai nationals were arrested in Ecuador for allegedly smuggling Galápagos iguanas. The Ecuadorian National Police seized 12 marine iguanas, with one found dead and others in poor condition. The case highlights ongoing wildlife trafficking issues in the region, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and international cooperation.
- ▪The suspects were apprehended at Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport.
- ▪The marine iguanas were discovered stuffed in handbags with their limbs bound.
- ▪Ecuadorian laws and CITES protections prohibit the removal and sale of these iguanas.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
(function($) { $(document).ready(function() { const bulletPoints = $('.bulletpoints'); const toggle = $('.bulletpoints-wrapper .content-expander'); if (bulletPoints.length > 0) { const bulletPointsHeight = bulletPoints[0].scrollHeight; if (bulletPointsHeight && bulletPointsHeight <= 170) { toggle.remove(); } toggle.click(function() { bulletPoints.toggleClass('visible'); $('#expander-container.bullets').toggleClass('visible'); $(this).toggleClass('visible'); }); } }); })(jQuery); The Ecuadorian National Police arrested three Thai nationals on May 19, 2026, at the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil on suspicion of wildlife trafficking. They seized 12 marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), endemic to the Galápagos.
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