World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Two people arrested in international wild bird egg trafficking probe
Two people were arrested in Spain in an international investigation into trafficking wild bird eggs.
Brazilian Federal Police worked with Spain’s National Police, and arrests took place on Gran Canaria.
The investigation began in October 2025, after 24 wild bird eggs were seized at Rio de Janeiro airport.
Police say a woman suspected of transporting the eggs was preparing to fly with them hidden under her clothes.
Some eggs were from two parrot species classified as threatened with extinction, and some embryos died during transport.
Investigators say members of the group made repeated trips between Brazil and Switzerland and divided tasks among themselves.
Police are still seeking other suppliers and intermediaries, and suspects may face charges including wildlife trafficking, animal mistreatment, smuggling and organized crime.
Two people were arrested in Spain in an international investigation into the trafficking of wild bird eggs.
The arrests took place on Gran Canaria on October 19, under preventive arrest warrants requested by Brazilian authorities.
The operation involved Brazil’s Federal Police and Spain’s National Police, with searches also carried out in Switzerland and Brazil.
The investigation began after 24 wild bird eggs were seized at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport in October 2025.
Authorities said the eggs included species classified as threatened with extinction, and that some embryos died during improper transport.
- Who
- Two people suspected of involvement in the trafficking were arrested. A woman identified as responsible for transporting eggs was also placed on Interpol’s Red Notice list.
- What
- Authorities arrested suspects and carried out searches in an investigation into international trafficking of wild bird eggs.
- When
- The arrests took place on October 19, 2026. The investigation began in October 2025.
- Where
- The arrests took place on Gran Canaria, Spain. Searches were carried out in Switzerland and Curitiba, Brazil.
- Why
- The investigation concerns a suspected operation transporting wild bird eggs abroad for trafficking.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The investigation began after 24 wild bird eggs were seized at Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro.
Two people were arrested on Gran Canaria under preventive arrest warrants requested by Brazilian authorities.
Authorities carried out searches in Switzerland and Curitiba, Brazil, and Brazilian police executed temporary arrest and search warrants.
- Eggs seized
- 24 wild bird eggs
- Airport
- Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro
- Arrest location
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Search locations
- Switzerland and Curitiba, Brazil
- Named operation
- Operation Ninho Vazio
- Species identified
- Red-browed Amazon and vinaceous-breasted Amazon parrots