Authorities arrested a man involved in selling of wildlife species without the necessary permit from the government during an entrapment operation Monday, April 1.
Mark Lester Bringas, 30, was nabbed around 3 p.m. after he sold five unclassified juvenile crocodiles and four critical endangered eggs to an undercover operative at the parking lot of Victoria Plaza, J.P. Laurel Avenue.
He will be charged for illegal trading in violation of Section 27 of RA 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation Act.
Bringas allegedly sells juvenile crocodile at P15,000 each.
During the operation, the poseur-buyer purchased the salt water and fresh water crocodiles for around P95,000.
The joint operation was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation-Tagum District Office (NBI-Tagdo) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
NBI-Tagdo said it had placed the suspect under surveillance after receiving information about his illegal activities.
The recovered animals were turned over to Davao Crocodile Park for safekeeping. (Juliet C. Revita)