Peru airport officials discover 3,000 tarantulas smuggled inside dirty socks
Summary
Peruvian authorities seized more than 3,000 tarantulas at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. The spiders were hidden in dirty socks in three suitcases bound for Germany, and three European travelers were detained and face criminal proceedings.Key Facts
- SERFOR said the suitcases were carried by two German citizens and one Polish citizen.
- Customs agents noticed movement inside the luggage during a routine inspection.
- The tarantulas came from several regions of Peru and included eggs, hatchlings, and adults.
- SERFOR technician Cora Suarez said one tarantula can sell for about €500 in Europe.
- Authorities estimated the shipment could be worth about €1.5 million at that price.
- Police specializing in environmental crimes detained the travelers.
- Interpol estimates illegal wildlife trafficking generates about $20 billion worldwide each year.
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