Phoenix police arrest man for allegedly trying to sell tiger cub

PHOENIX – A man was arrested in Phoenix for allegedly trying to sell a tiger cub through social media, authorities said Tuesday.

“It’s not every day that police officers come in contact with tigers in Arizona, but that’s exactly what happened,” Sgt. Brian Bower of the Phoenix Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

After learning Monday that the cub was being offered, officers contacted the seller posing as potential buyers. They gathered enough information to obtain a search warrant at a residence near Baseline Road and 27th Avenue, police said.

The tiger cub and other exotic animals, including baby snapping turtles and a baby alligator, were seized and turned over to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

This little guy is not the only one earning his stripes.🐯 25yo Carlos  Alcaraz was arrested on 1/23 & booked on possession of live wildlife & game and fish violations after advertising the cub on social media. #PHXPD600Patrol negotiated the sale of the cub and served a warrant. pic.twitter.com/e0LDWIMdvr

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) January 24, 2023

“All very small animals, nothing large, adult size,” Bower said.

Carlos Castro Alcaraz, 25, was arrested at the home and booked for import/release of wildlife, a felony, Bower said.

According to The Associated Press, Castro Alcaraz wanted to sell the tiger for $20,000.

“This was just an instance of great police work from the patrol officers’ level of seeing a possible crime,” Bower said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Patricia Valencia contributed to this report.

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