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Peruvian authorities seize more than 3,000 tarantulas hidden in foreign nationals' suitcases.
Peru's National Forestry and Wildlife Service (Serfor) and customs officials said the spiders were discovered after an anonymous tip prompted an investigation. The tarantulas, found at different stages of development, including eggs, juveniles and adults, had been concealed in dozens of labelled socks inside three suitcases.
Wildlife forestry control technician Cora Suarez said authorities found between 15 and 22 socks in each suitcase, with each sock containing different numbers and species of tarantulas.
"There were three foreign citizens, two Germans, one Polish, and each of them had a suitcase and in each suitcase we found between 15 to 22 socks, each sock contained different numbers and different species of tarantulas," Suarez said.
Suarez said the seizure included species from the Brachypelma, Pamphobeteus and Avicularia genera. She added that the animals are sought after for their colours and size and may be destined for collectors.
The three foreign nationals were intercepted while checking in for their flight and were detained by Peru's environmental crimes police. They face criminal proceedings led by the Specialised Environmental Prosecutor's Office, authorities said.
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