A Tijuana tiger cub’s tale continues as a second person has been indicted on suspicion of trying to help a friend smuggle the endangered species into the country from Mexico, according to court records.

For more pets and animals coverage follow us on Flipboard.

Eriberto Paniagua, 21, of Perris, pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday to charges of smuggling, aiding and abetting, conspiracy, forfeiture and importation contrary to law, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.

According to court documents, Paniagua was a passenger in a Chevrolet Camaro being driven back into the U.S. by Luis Euodoro Valencia, 18, also of Perris, on Aug. 23.

Paniagua told agents at the Otay Mesa border crossing from Mexico into the United States that the animal on the floor at his feet was “merely a cat,” documents say. However, Paniagua later ended up providing the officer with paperwork saying the animal was a tiger.

Valencia told investigators that he’d been planning to keep it as a pet.

Get more pet and wildlife news delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays.

Sign up for our Coffee Break newsletter here.

Valencia has already been arrested and charged with smuggling and importing an endangered species into the U.S. without a permit. He has since pleaded not guilty, records indicate.

Both men are expected to be back in court Oct. 16, records show.

The tiger cub is currently being cared for at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park where it has made a new friend.

The smuggled Bengal tiger was introduced to a slightly older Sumatran tiger cub that was rejected by its mother a short time after it was born in July at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., officials said.

Pet news, photos and more delivered to your inbox. Sign up now for the Pet Pal Connection newsletter!

According to zoo officials, illegal trade in wildlife is the fourth-largest illegal trade in the world, after drugs, weapons and human trafficking.