San Jose, Costa Rica, May 23 (AP) Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday.

The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals.

Also Read | Capital Jewish Museum Shooting: India Likely To Ask for More Security for Diplomats After 2 Israeli Staffers Killed in US.

Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested.

“The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species,” Security Minister Mario Zamora said.

Also Read | Pakistan Poses Threat Not Only to India but to the Whole World, Says All Party Delegation Member Rajeev Rai (Watch Video).

The capybaras were turned over to the National System of Conservation Areas to be evaluated by veterinarians. As a non-native species they can't be released in Costa Rica so they will be taken to a refuge for environmental and conservation education programs. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)