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Florida man cited for trying to trade four-foot alligator for 12-pack of beer

"This is absolutely bizarre, I can't imagine somebody wanting to barter a live four-foot alligator for a 12 pack of beer," officer says.

By Evan Bleier
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A Florida man was cited for illegally capturing an alligator after he tried to trade a live, four-foot reptile for a 12-pack of a beer at a Miami-area convenience store.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino, Fernando Caignet Aguilera attempted to make the trade at the Santa Ana Market on Dec. 10.

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Apparently Aguilera found and trapped the gator at a nearby park and then brought it to the store. The clerk wasn’t too keen on the trade and contacted authorities.

"This is absolutely bizarre, I can't imagine somebody wanting to barter a live four-foot alligator for a 12 pack of beer, it makes no sense to me," Pino said. "It was pretty much in good shape, we didn't notice any unusual conditions on it.”

FWC took the alligator from Aguilera and then cited him for taking possession of and trying to sell the alligator. The wild animal was released back into the wild.

The charges against Aguilera are all second-degree misdemeanors and each of them carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.

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"In 25 years of law enforcement, I have never come across an individual who purposely caught an alligator and tied it up, brought it to a convenience store and tried to barter it,” Pino said.

[NBC 6] [Sun Sentinel]

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