Peru seizes over 3,000 tarantulas bound for Germany, hidden in socks
Peruvian authorities stopped three travelers at Lima's airport with more than 3,000 tarantulas hidden in socks in their suitcases, reportedly headed to Germany.
Peruvian authorities seized more than 3,000 tarantulas at Lima's airport. The spiders were bound for Germany, according to The Guardian. Peru's National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) gave that account to Agence France-Presse on Thursday, the Guardian reports.
The spiders were packed inside dirty socks in three suitcases. The bags were carried by two German citizens and one Polish citizen, SERFOR said. Fox News reports the three were detained.
The Guardian says the spiders could fetch an estimated €1.5m in Germany. It does not say who made that estimate.
Al Jazeera described the case as a failed smuggling attempt.
Reported by
- Al Jazeera3,000 tarantulas hidden inside luggage seized at Peruvian airportThu, Nov 5, 7:56 AM EST
- Fox NewsTravelers busted at airport with over 3,000 tarantulas hidden away in their socksThu, Nov 5, 1:48 PM EST
- The GuardianPeru airport officials discover 3,000 tarantulas smuggled inside dirty socksThu, Nov 5, 8:22 PM EST
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (1)
- Thu, Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST, 2 outlets: Over 3,000 tarantulas seized in luggage at Peruvian airport