A 60-year-old man, identified as “José N,” was arrested in flagrante delicto by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) while traveling from Comitán to Tuxtla Gutiérrez with an illegal shipment of 3,427 sea turtles, also known as Trachemys venusta.
The arrest occurred at the checkpoint set up across the San Cristóbal Highway, at the entrance to the municipality of Chiapa de Corzo, at kilometer 46. During the inspection, authorities detected the turtles being transported without the required permits and in inadequate conditions.
According to information gathered, the shipment’s final destination was Mexico City, where it was allegedly being illegally traded. The operation represents a severe blow to wildlife trafficking in the region.
The Mojina Turtle: Tradition and Threat
The seized species—Trachemys venusta—is known in Chiapas by various popular names such as “mojina turtle,” “mojina,” or, to a lesser extent, “jicotea,” especially in areas of the Soconusco region. Its presence is common in rivers, lagoons, and freshwater bodies of the Lacandon Jungle, the Central Depression, and the Soconusco region.
It has historically been used in local cuisine, especially during Holy Week and other holidays, which has contributed to pressure on its wild populations. Currently, its capture, sale, and transport are regulated or prohibited by NOM-059-SEMARNAT (National Fisheries Agency), as the species is under special protection due to habitat loss and overexploitation.
Profepa (Profepa) received the seized specimens and referred them to an Environmental Management Unit (UMA) for assessment, veterinary care, and eventual reintegration into their natural habitat.
Source: alertachiapas
