Animal smuggling ring taken down in Colombia

Over 1,000 endangered animals were rescued by Colombian authorities working with the Special Group Fighting Against the Mistreatment of Animals (GELMA) on Monday.

Operation Leopard netted ocelots, jungle parrots, bearded dragons, snakes and various species of salamanders all destined to be smuggled outside the country.

The animals are estimated to have a black market value of over one million US dollars. The Colombia's Territorial Security Specialist in the Attorney General's office stated that the operation was centered in Medellin.

Police footage shows two of the 21 persons arrested in the operation being read their rights, while two other individuals were led away in handcuffs.