Over 3,000 tarantulas seized in luggage: trio arrested at Lima airport
Two Germans and a Pole were stopped at Lima airport as they attempted to smuggle more than 3,000 live tarantulas into Germany.
Smugglers hid thousands of spiders in modified socks
At Jorge Chávez international airport in Lima, Peruvian authorities seized more than 3,000 live tarantulas. According to the Tages-Anzeiger, officials from the forestry and wildlife authority Serfor and the national customs administration stopped two German citizens and a Polish national who were planning to leave for Germany.
The men had distributed the spiders in modified, labelled socks across three wheeled suitcases. According to Serfor control chief Cora Suárez, the specimens were at various stages of development – from clutches through juvenile animals to fully grown specimens. The cargo came from various regions of Peru, according to investigative authorities.
The three suspects were arrested. The environmental crime-specialised state prosecutor's office Fema initiated criminal proceedings against them; they also face sanctions proceedings.
According to Serfor, one of the arrested men is allegedly a recognised spider researcher – scientific specialist publications suggest this. The authorities suspect commercial motives: the animals may have been intended for collections, private keeping or unauthorised research.
Exactly which species were seized is currently being clarified. Some of the seized specimens have not yet been scientifically described. One species is classified as endangered under Peruvian law and is under strict protection. After completion of veterinary examinations, the spiders are to be handed over to a breeding station.
Source: Tages-Anzeiger