Texas border agents had a busy—and rather unusual—day on April 6, 2025, when they stopped not just one, but two serious smuggling attempts. In one case, they rescued a spider monkey hidden inside a car, and in the other, they uncovered over 73 pounds of cocaine, worth nearly $1 million, trying to cross into the U.S.
Spider Monkey Found Hidden Inside a Backpack at Texas Border
In a case that sounds like something out of a movie, border officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry inspected a 2011 Chevy Equinox being driven by two U.S. citizens—a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman.
After being sent to secondary inspection, officers found something unexpected: a live spider monkey, hidden inside a backpack in the vehicle.
The two individuals were attempting to illegally bring the monkey into the U.S. from Mexico. However, monkeys—especially exotic species like spider monkeys—are heavily regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is illegal to transport such animals across international borders without proper permission.
The animal was safely taken away from the duo and handed over to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, where it is now receiving proper care.
Over 73 Pounds of Cocaine Seized from Another Border Vehicle
On the same day, a 2008 Ford Explorer driven by a 68-year-old Mexican citizen was stopped at the border. After being sent for secondary inspection, border agents discovered 28 packages of alleged cocaine hidden inside the vehicle.
The total weight of the drugs was 73.41 pounds, and the estimated street value was nearly $980,218.
The drugs were confiscated immediately, and the driver was arrested. A criminal investigation has since been launched into the smuggling attempt.
Why This Matters
These incidents highlight just how serious and varied the efforts are to smuggle illegal items—whether it’s exotic wildlife or dangerous narcotics—into the United States. Smuggling of endangered animals, like spider monkeys, not only breaks U.S. laws but also harms ecosystems and puts animals at risk.
Meanwhile, the drug seizure shows the continuing efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to keep illegal substances from entering the country, which often fuel crime and addiction.