McAllen traffic stop results in seizure of monkey, cocaine

A traffic stop in McAllen on Monday resulted in the seizure of a small black monkey and $23,200 worth of cocaine.

The stop resulted in the arrest of Sergio Nunez de Caceres-Benavides, born in 1998, and Alexis Reyes-Andrade, born in 1995, both of Mexico.

They are charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

A criminal complaint said a “Hidalgo County Canine Deputy” conducted a traffic stop at approximately 2 p.m. Monday on a 2007 silver Jeep Commander.

Caceres was driving and Reyes was his passenger.

“From the passenger window, Task Force Officers with the Canine Deputy observed a small black monkey concealed in an open bag by Reyes’ feet,” the complaint stated. “The monkey was wrapped in a blanket and restrained with brown packing tape.”

Both individuals were then removed from the vehicle and authorities recovered the monkey.

A K-9 then alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

“During the search, a black toolbox was located in the back seat behind Caceres,” the complaint stated. “Two square bundles wrapped in clear packaging were found inside the toolbox.”

The bundles tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 4 1/2 pounds.

During an interview with Homeland Security Investigations special agents, both Caceres and Reyes admitted to knowing about the cocaine and the monkey.

“Caceres further admitted that he planned to sell the cocaine for approximately $23,200.00 and the monkey for approximately $3,500.00,” the complaint stated.

They made a first appearance in McAllen federal court on Tuesday and were ordered held without bond after being deemed flight risks, court records show.

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