FWC busts Miami man for selling pythons on craigslist without proper licenses
News Release
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Media contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459
After receiving information that a Miami man was
selling reticulated pythons on the Internet without proper
licenses, investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) went undercover to buy the reptiles
of concern.
Posing as a buyer, an investigator answered the
seller's craigslist ad and set up a meeting on May 21 to purchase
and collect the snakes in Miami. The seller told the investigator
that he did not have a license to possess the snakes. The
investigator bought two reticulated pythons for $20 apiece and
indicated that he did not have a license either. It is unlawful for
an unlicensed person to possess a reptile of concern or to sell
wildlife without a sales license.
Miguel C. Ruitort (DOB 01/07/90) of Miami was
charged with three misdemeanors: selling wildlife without a
license, possessing reptiles of concern without a license, and
selling reptiles of concern to an unlicensed person. Ruitort
released the snakes to the FWC. He also was issued three written
warnings for additional reptile-of-concern violations.
Reptiles of concern must be licensed by the FWC's
Captive Wildlife Section to be kept as pets. The license costs $100
per year and mandates specific caging requirements. All reptiles of
concern more than 2 inches in diameter must be implanted with a
microchip that identifies the animal. It is unlawful to allow
one to escape or to release one into the wild.
For more information, go to MyFWC.com/ROC.
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