KINGSVILLE, Tx — Border Patrol agents at the Sarita checkpoint discovered an unusual smuggling attempt.
It wasn't drugs or people that were being smuggled; it was five spider monkeys.
The monkeys were discovered hidden inside a vehicle trying to pass through the checkpoint on Highway 77.
Border Patrol agents became suspicious after a K-9 alerted to the vehicle.
The spider monkeys are now in the care of U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
They are an endangered species, and smuggling them into the country is a federal offense.
The smuggling of spider monkeys is a huge business, selling for up to $8,000 each on the black market.
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