It is a demand that tourists are increasingly requesting. The judicial authorities have asked the Government of the Canary Islands to provide veterinarians so that the Police and Civil Guard can carry out measures to combat the trafficking of animals used in Santeria shops and establishments in the south of Gran Canaria. With the entry into force of the new animal protection regulation, santeria shops and santeros in the south of Gran Canaria, highly in demand by tourists, cannot use animals and remains of species that are listed as protected according to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Agents of the National Police, Customs Surveillance officials of the Tax Agency interpret, law in hand, that these cases represent a crime of smuggling and against flora and fauna to be used in Santeria rituals. In order to try to determine the route of introduction of the animals on the island, the Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of the Tax Agency carries out a detailed analysis of the postal parcels or luggage. Among the products monitored are bats, birds of Cuban origin, heads of dogs, wolves, monkeys, cobras or crocodiles, as well as elephant ivory, tiger fangs, gorilla teeth or African toads.
Live domestic animals intended for ritual practices, as well as remains of different protected animals; hippopotamus, lion, hyena, crocodile, chameleon or seahorse are included in the CITES catalogue. The participation of agents from the General Information Commissariat and Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency, investigators maintain strict control over alleged perpetrators of smuggling crimes and crimes against fauna and flora.
