Peru seizes 3,000 tarantulas hidden in socks

Peruvian authorities said they seized more than 3,000 tarantulas at an airport in Lima before the spiders could be smuggled to Germany.

The National Forestry and Wildlife Service, known as SERFOR, said the tarantulas were hidden in dirty socks inside three suitcases carried by two Germans and a Polish citizen.

During a routine customs inspection, agents noticed movement inside the luggage, according to SERFOR wildlife control technician Cora Suarez.

The tarantulas came from several regions of Peru and included eggs, hatchlings and adults, Suarez said. She said one tarantula can sell for about 500 euros in Europe, making the shipment potentially worth about 1.5 million euros.

SERFOR said the Europeans accused of smuggling the tarantulas were detained by police specialising in environmental crimes and will face criminal proceedings.

Interpol says illegal wildlife trafficking generates about $20 billion a year worldwide. SERFOR said such trafficking is among the main causes of biodiversity loss.