Woman Charged After 130 Poisonous Frogs Discovered Concealed in Suitcase at Colombian Airport

A 37-year-old Brazilian woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been apprehended at Bogotá airport in Colombia for attempting to smuggle 137 miniature poisonous frogs valued at approximately $130,000 into Brazil. The woman was en route to São Paulo with a layover in Panama when she was intercepted by uniformed airport police on Monday, according to a statement from the National Police of Colombia.

Upon inspecting her suitcase, authorities discovered 130 harlequin poison-dart frogs, each housed in individual small film canisters. The woman now faces charges related to wildlife trafficking.

Police emphasized the sought-after status of this endangered species in international markets, where collectors are willing to pay up to $1,000 for each frog due to their exotic beauty and unique origin in the humid tropical forests of Colombia and the surrounding region.

The harlequin poison-dart frogs, known as “jewels of the rainforest,” are native to the rainforests of Central and South America. The San Diego Zoo describes them as small, colorful frogs that inhabit these lush environments.

The detained woman claimed the frogs were a gift from a local community called Nariño in western Colombia when asked for a “permit to use wildlife” by airport police. However, due to the considerable damage to the ecosystem and the number of species transported, the legal process for wildlife trafficking has been initiated.

The confiscated frogs, displaying signs of asphyxiation and nearing death, were handed over to the Center for Attention and Assessment of Wild Flora and Fauna. Adriana Soto, the secretary of the environment for Colombia, explained in a video that the frogs are undergoing evaluation to determine their health status. Based on the assessment, a decision will be made regarding whether they remain at the wildlife center or are released back to their original habitat.