A California man was arrested Monday after authorities pulled him over for speeding a Rolls-Royce Ghost. During the search, they suspected a potential DUI and discovered a baby spider monkey sitting in the passenger seat.
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Officers also found bags of marijuana, a plastic bag full of cash, and multiple phones during the traffic stop on SR-99, according to the New York Post. Ali Mused Adel Mohamed,27, was stopped for excessive speeding, and when officers saw the one-month-old baby spider monkey, they confiscated it from his possession. He was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of cannabis for sale, and possession of an exotic animal.
The baby spider monkey was removed from Mohamed due to strict state laws prohibiting private ownership of primates. Spider monkeys are protected as endangered species, making ownership illegal in California. Initially, the baby monkey was taken to the Madera Animal Shelter but was later transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They plan to relocate the primate to the Oakland Zoo for appropriate care.
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Mohamed is currently in custody at Madera County Jail and facing multiple charges. This incident is not the first involving an exotic animal. In November, a monkey named Jorgie Boy was confiscated from its owner after she crashed her vehicle while driving under the influence. Authorities noted that the primate appeared malnourished and had gained popularity on the internet, according to reports from the Post.
