Quick Take
- Something was wriggling inside dirty socks at the airport, and it wasn't laundry.
- One suspect holds a surprising profession that muddies the whole case.
- The street value of this haul could stagger you, and so could the global trade behind it.
It seems that drugs aren’t the only thing being smuggled out of South American countries. Just a few days ago, Peruvian officials seized over 3,000 tarantulas of various sizes at the Lima airport. According to initial reports, three European citizens were allegedly caught smuggling wildlife, one of whom is reportedly a tarantula researcher. Upon discovery of the illegal cargo, police detained the three people, who will face criminal proceedings.
The trafficking of wild and exotic animals is big business and a serious problem in Peru. Globally, wildlife trafficking generates an estimated $20 billion per year. Peru, being one of the most biodiverse nations on the planet, increasingly bears the brunt of it. Let’s learn more about this airport discovery and what it tells us about a global trade shrouded in secrecy.
The Discovery
Customs agents at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru discovered 3,000 tarantulas hidden in baggage.
©YouTube/guardiannews – Original
On November 3rd, three European citizens checked into the boarding area at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima to wait for their flight. Before they could board, however, customs agents stopped them and inspected their bags.
The agents noticed things wriggling in dirty socks in the baggage before uncovering over 3,000 tarantulas in various life stages. These included babies and full-grown tarantulas from a variety of species. As Cora Suarez, a SERFOR wildlife control technician, told Agence France-Presse, “We noticed that some of them were moving. There were small ones and large ones. The traffickers made a meticulous selection to include different species, some of which have not yet been described by science.”
We noticed that some of them were moving. There were small ones and large ones. The traffickers made a meticulous selection to include different species, some of which have not yet been described by science.
Indeed, the tarantulas comprised several species from across Peru, including the species Thrixopelma lagunas, and specimens from the genera Antikuna and Pamphobeteus. According to officials, the three men would have made a pretty penny had they managed to successfully board their flight back to Germany. One tarantula can sell for about 500 euros in Europe, making the 3,000-tarantula seizure worth upwards of 1.5 million euros.
Motive and Punishment
The three men caught smuggling tarantulas remain unidentified. What authorities will tell the press is that two are German citizens and one is Polish. Interestingly, the press statement says one of them may be a prominent tarantula researcher.
Upon discovery of the tarantulas, authorities from the Peruvian National Police’s environmental crimes unit detained the three men. They will face prosecution for illegal wildlife trafficking. As for the 3,000 tarantulas, officials will take them to an authorized breeding center.
It is hard to say exactly what the three men planned to do with the tarantulas had they made it back to Europe. Money is likely a factor, but considering one of the men may be a prominent tarantula researcher, the exact motive behind the alleged trafficking is unknown. Peruvian authorities remain committed to stopping wildlife trafficking in and out of the country.
