The final two of four Dominican nationals were sentenced for wildlife smuggling under the Lacey Act after attempting to transport tropical birds from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.
Frankluis Carela De Jesús received 12 months and one day in prison, while Domingo Heureau Altagracia was sentenced to 8 months. Previously, Waner Balbuena and Juan Graviel Ramírez Cedano each received 12 months and one day.
On May 3, 2024, the defendants were caught in a flagless vessel carrying over 100 tropical birds, including internationally protected species. Lacking proper export licenses, they attempted to evade authorities. When the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted them 30 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, the crew threw cages overboard. The Coast Guard recovered 113 drowned birds.
“The U.S. Coast Guard is the nation’s premiere maritime law enforcement agency with authorities to enforce federal and international law on the high seas,” said Commander Matthew Romano, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response. “This was a unique case for our Coast Guard crews who usually enforce fisheries laws to protect living marine resources in and around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The successful prosecution and sentencing in this case are a testimony to our strong partnerships and collaboration to secure our maritime borders and to deter illicit trafficking that fuels criminal enterprises.”