NBI raids pet shop fronting for illegal wildlife trade in Rizal

What seemed as a regular pet stop in  Rodriguez, Rizal was actually a front for the illegal trade of wildlife animals.

According to a report by John Consulta in 24 Oras, some of the animals being sold were already endangered or nearly extinct.

After several months of surveillance, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Environmental Crime Division stormed the shop and arrested the shop owner Mark Lester Maraingan.

Aside from the marked money, authorities recovered two Ball pythons, one leopard gecko, one pig-nosed turtle, one yellow spotted river turtle, one alligator snapping turtle, one red-eared slider, one soft-shelled turtle, and one bearded dragon.

"Base na rin sa certification na inissue ng ating Biodiversity Management Bureau, wala po siyang pinanghahawakang anumang permit para makapagbreed, magpossesss at magbenta ng wildlife na ito," Atty. Eric Nuqui, NBI Environmental Criminal Division, said.

"Ang iba po rito ay tinatawag na invasive species. na kung hindi natin pipigilan ang pagdami dito ay maaaring atakihin ang ating local wildlife at pagdating ng panahon ay mawala ang ating local wildlife," she added.

GMA tried to get the side of the suspect but he did not comment.

He was charged with the violation of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. —Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News