A baby spider monkey started a new chapter at the Oakland Zoo after being rescued by authorities in a methamphetamine bust in Solano County earlier this month.

Authorities said on May 6, Solano County Sheriff's deputies caught half a pound of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in an unincorporated area in Vallejo. The driver was identified as 50-year-old Clifford, detained and charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale, according to the sheriff's office.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The next day, the detectives provided a search warrant at Vincenty's Vallejo's home and found another pound of methamphetamine, more than $2,000 in cash, two rattlesnakes and a small spider monkey. The total street value of methamphetamine confiscation is estimated at $26,000, according to the sheriff’s office.

Vicenty now faces other charges related to the illegal possession of exotic animals and controlled substances. The 18-month-old spider monkey was taken to a veterinary hospital in the Auckland Zoo for treatment.

There, she was given her name: Violeta.

Owning primates as pets in California is not only illegal, but especially possessing small spider monkeys. The species is endangered and infants need continuous skilled care to survive. Many of these poaching primates won’t live to watch their first birthday, according to the Auckland Zoo.

"Once entering the pet trade, these animals generally do not accept proper eating habits or proper socialization with other monkeys, which can lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems," Colleen Kinzley, vice president of the Zoo Animal Health Zoo, said in a statement.

In the wild, spider monkeys are usually cared for during the first two years of their lives, and most people stay close to their mothers until they are 4 years old.

Veterinary hospital staff have begun providing Violeta UV mild treatment and calcium supplements to help her recover. They have also been feeding her various fruits and vegetables and making sure she is drinking formulas to strengthen her bones and reduce the risk of fractures.

Next, staff will perform CT scans, perform a more thorough physical examination and blood survey to assess organ function and check for infectious diseases. Employees reported that she performed well in her temporary home and the breeder provided her with blankets and toys to keep her comfortable and irritating.

Once fully recovered, zoo staff will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Wildlife Confiscation Network to find Violeta in a recognized zoo or shelter where she can grow up in a pack of spider monkeys.

Spider monkeys are classified as an endangered species with near-extinction risk due to habitat loss, hunting and exotic animal trade, and demand for cute primates has surged in recent years.

"Infant spider monkeys in the pet trade are usually the result of mothers and family being shot down by trees to capture babies," Kinzley said. "Many times, babies are killed or injured by falls."

According to the Auckland Zoo, spider monkeys are one of the most common animals on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The California Highway Patrol confiscated another baby spider monkey during a traffic stop at Oakland Zoo in Madera County last December.

The primate has since been named Azules and was transported to the zoo in critical situations - suffering from malnutrition, skin and coat problems, and upper respiratory tract infections. Azules recovered completely and was moved to permanent residence in February.

Last month, a Texas man was sentenced to four months in custody and a 180-day family ban for trafficking six infant spider monkeys from Mexico to San Diego, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

While it is illegal to use primates as pets in California, there is no federal law to regulate ownership of primates, and some states allow this practice. The Oakland Zoo is part of the alliance of animal welfare organizations that promotes the passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act, which will enact a federal ban on the pet primate trade.

“Wildlife trafficking is a growing conservation crisis that drives countless species such as spider monkeys and other non-human primates towards extinction,” Oakland Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia said in a statement. “The Captive Primate Safety Act, recently introduced in Congress, is a key step toward ending this exploitation by banning private ownership of primates and strengthening our nation’s commitment to responsible wildlife protection.”