More than 3,000 tarantulas hidden in dirty socks seized at Peru airport, bound for Germany
LIMA, Nov 6 — More than 3,000 tarantulas were seized at an airport in Lima before the furry crawlers c...
Lima, November 6 - Peruvian authorities intercepted over 3,000 tarantulas at the Lima airport, preventing the creatures from being smuggled to Germany, according to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR). The spiders, which were hidden inside dirty socks in three suitcases, were discovered during a routine customs inspection by agents who noticed movement inside the luggage.
Cora Suarez, a SERFOR wildlife control technician, observed that the tarantulas ranged from eggs and hatchlings to fully-grown adults. The illegal trade of such spiders can fetch around 500 euros each in Europe, potentially amounting to a staggering 1.5 million-euro wildlife trafficking scheme for a single operation. The suspects, two Germans and a Polish citizen, were apprehended by police specializing in environmental crimes and will be prosecuted under the law.
Illegal wildlife trafficking is a highly profitable criminal enterprise, generating around $20 billion globally each year, according to Interpol. This illicit activity is a significant contributor to the loss of biodiversity worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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