In a scene straight out of a movie, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers stopped a speeding Rolls-Royce Ghost on a Madera County highway Monday evening—only to find an unusual passenger on board. A one-month-old spider monkey was discovered inside the luxury car after officers pulled over the vehicle for excessive speed on Highway 99, north of Avenue 17.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Ali Mused Adel Mohamed, was arrested on multiple charges, including driving under the influence (DUI) and possession of cannabis for sale. The situation became even more bizarre when officers noted that keeping primates as pets is illegal in California. The young spider monkey was removed from the scene by animal control.
Officers clocked the Rolls-Royce exceeding the speed limit and conducted what initially appeared to be a routine traffic stop. However, upon inspecting the car, they found the spider monkey, which appeared to be just a month old. CHP has not clarified how or why the monkey was in the vehicle or its intended destination.
In addition to the speeding violation, Mohamed now faces serious legal consequences. The charges include DUI, possession of cannabis for sale, and violating California’s laws prohibiting primate ownership as pets. Authorities did not disclose how much cannabis was found or provide further details about the monkey’s origins.
The spider monkey was taken into the custody of animal control, which will likely coordinate with wildlife officials to determine the animal’s future. Spider monkeys are native to Central and South America and are not suited to life as pets, particularly under conditions like those described in the traffic stop.
Primates, including spider monkeys, are protected under state law to ensure the safety of the animals and the public. Keeping such animals as pets is not only illegal but also poses significant risks to their well-being. As the investigation continues, the monkey’s unexpected ride in a Rolls-Royce has left residents of Madera County both puzzled and entertained by one of the stranger traffic stops in recent memory.
