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Caging, labeling, transport and handling rules were also often ignored by subjects and cited accordingly in today’s action. FWC investigators realized early into the investigation that the black market for venomous reptiles in Florida was robust, and subjects identified in the operation were dealing reptiles frequently and in high numbers, often to or from unpermitted individuals. This lengthy investigation developed additional suspects both in and out of Florida. “Documented violations range from conservation second-degree misdemeanors to third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.” “We’ve seen time and again that individuals who will break one law do not limit themselves to only one area of illegal activity,” said FWC DLE Director Colonel Roger Young. The rules for the transportation, caging and handling of these animals are in place for important reasons.”Īs often happens with long term investigations, non-wildlife crimes were documented by FWC investigators. “We fight every day to keep people alive and minimize permanent complications after a tragic bite occurs. Benjamin Abo, Primary investigator and Medical Director of Venom 1 and 2 Venom Response Units. The actions of individuals such as the ones charged today make our jobs at VENOM 1 and 2 only that much harder,” said Dr. Covert meetings with officers from Georgia and Florida revealed that the suspects showed a complete disregard for this highly regulated activity. Georgia DNR and the FWC also worked in conjunction on this investigation to target other suspects illegally transporting carloads of venomous snakes around the country in violation of multiple state laws. The FWC secured search warrants for many of the social media accounts to prove the illegal activity was occurring and identify additional subjects. Some of these individuals included wholesale dealers who imported large shipments of nonnative venomous snakes from multiple countries around the world.

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Once these black-market deals were arranged, violators quickly transitioned to in-person meetings where they arranged to buy or sell potentially deadly species to undercover officers with full knowledge that they were unlicensed and could not purchase these snakes legally. Much of the illegal activity was initiated on specialized websites or closed social media pages. “Florida’s rules and laws are in place to protect the public and prevent tragedies from occurring.” Randy Bowlin, FWC DLE Investigations and Intelligence Section Leader. “Some of these snakes are among the most dangerous in the world,” said Maj. Trafficking activity was unpermitted, and the subjects involved showed a complete disregard for the regulatory framework designed to keep Floridians safe.

Some of those species include the inland taipan, bushmaster, rhinoceros viper, African bush viper, Gaboon viper, green mamba, eyelash viper, multiple species of spitting cobra, forest cobra, puff adder and saw-scaled vipers. Over the course of the investigation, nearly 200 snakes, consisting of 24 species from seven different regions of the globe, were purchased or sold by FWC undercover investigators to or from wildlife traffickers. If these illegal and dangerous nonnative species were to escape, they could easily live and breed in Florida’s subtropical climate.

The illegal sale, purchase, transport and caging of these regulated animals pose a significant public safety threat, undermines legitimate captive wildlife dealers operating legally and threatens the long-term well-being of state wildlife populations. In 2020, the FWC initiated a long-term investigation with undercover investigators to determine the extent of this illegal activity and hold violators accountable. The FWC has been receiving intelligence reports and complaints indicating that a black market exists for the sale and purchase of illegal and highly dangerous venomous reptiles in Florida. The charges range from second degree misdemeanors to third-degree felonies related to the illegal trafficking of venomous and prohibited snakes.

Florida - Monday January 16, 2023: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) filed charges against eight individuals on January 12.