A Civil Guard operation led to the arrest of an individual and the ongoing investigation of others amid questions about the provenance and legality of hunting trophies. The seized items and related records were found in two towns, Zaragoza and its surroundings, specifically Daroca and Manchones. The Benemérita is also examining three additional people who allegedly acquired and disposed of some of these trophies.
Among the items recovered are animal heads skin and skulls from species such as lioness, brown bear, fox, buffalo, wolf, and antelope, as well as other related trophies. These artifacts raise concerns about protected wildlife and possible illegal possession or trafficking.
In line with this, two individuals were detained and three others are under investigation for alleged crimes against flora and fauna. The operation began after authorities uncovered hunting trophies in a house in Daroca, triggering a formal inquiry with judicial permission for searches. The discovery included a lioness head, a brown bear head, and areas where antelope heads and other skins were found in naturalized conditions, indicating possible illegal procurement and storage practices.
La Benemérita documented a bear head among the items and noted the seriousness of the case within the broader context of wildlife protection. This information is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade and possession in the region, with authorities coordinating among various agencies to verify provenance and legality.
Operation Luria extended its scope to another address in Manchones, where investigators recovered pieces lacking documents to prove their legal origin. The documents that owners could provide were subjected to thorough scrutiny and validation by the authorities, while several other items, including roe deer or goat skulls, were cataloged, photographed, and set aside for formal verification in court records.
Additional fragments were found in a frozen state in a storage chest, along with records for long arms under the supervision of two gunsmiths. This finding underscored concerns about compliance with weapons regulation and the oversight of equipment used to protect and monitor wildlife resources.
Besides the person arrested for alleged crimes against flora and fauna, investigators pursued three more individuals who allegedly supplied and distributed hunting trophies. Some sections of domestic animals were handed over to the Metropolitan Municipality General Directorate of Climate Change and Environmental Education, while those associated with non-native species were transferred to the Customs and Special Consumption Administration of the State Tax Administration for further processing and control. These moves reflect coordinated action among regional and national authorities to address illegal wildlife trade and the illegal procurement of hunting trophies. — Civil Guard Zaragoza