Man Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Tiger Cub into California

SAN DIEGO – Sure he looks cute and cuddly now but this tiger cub will most likely grow to outweigh most humans, some growing over three times the size of the average human man.

On Wednesday at around 1:30 a.m. a man arrived at the Otay Mesa Port of entry from Mexico into California in a 2017 Chevy Camaro, with a 21-year-old male passenger. After the initial checkpoint, the border patrol officer referred the vehicle and occupants for further inspection. During the inspection, the vehicle was searched and a tiger cub was located lying on the floor of the front passenger seat. The tiger was removed from the vehicle and placed in an animal crate so that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could respond to the location.

“CBP officers are often faced with unusual situations,” said Pete Flores, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “The CBP officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry met the challenge head on and assisted in preserving the life of this endangered species.” The driver of the vehicle was determined to be a U.S. Citizen. He was arrested and booked into jail. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the San Diego Zoo Global will be working together to protect this endangered animal.

“More than 20 years ago, customs agents working at the San Ysidro port of entry intercepted an alleged smuggling attempt to move a tiger cub out of California and into Mexico,” CBP officials said.   “The tiger, later named “Blanca”, resided for many years at the San Diego Safari Park.”

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