"The case began Jan. 6 when one of the Mexican middleman, Eduardo Berges, 31, called a Miami primate dealer, who tipped authorities, according to Fish and Wildlife agent Jorge Picon.
Berges said the gorilla at the Toluca zoo had died, but Mexican government officials had not publicized the death.
The state governor wanted a replacement quickly, the agent said. Berges said he also would be interested in orangutans, even when he was told that trafficking in the animals was illegal, according to investigators.
"We agreed to provide them with the animals with false permits," Gelber said. "It was very clear that it's illegal to send these animals without proper documents and permits."
Gelber refused to discuss how the Mexicans were fooled at the airport, except to say, the arrest came "very soon after they saw the agent in a gorilla suit."
Miami MetroZoo curator Ron Magill, who supplied the cage for the phony gorilla--complete with "Live Animal" stamped on the side--said he never believed that the suspects would fall for the $92,500 sting.
"It's like a movie. I'm really surprised anyone could be that gullible," he said. "But they fell for it. It just goes to show money doesn't equate with intelligence."
