In brief
In a shocking discovery at Lima's international airport, authorities arrested a South Korean man attempting to smuggle over 400 exotic arachnids and insects, including endangered tarantulas.
In a remarkable incident at the international airport serving Peru's capital, Lima, customs officials apprehended a South Korean man last week who was attempting to board a flight with a significant number of exotic insects hidden under his clothing. Upon inspection, officers noticed the man's unusually bulging belly, prompting them to request he lift his shirt. To their astonishment, they uncovered 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants, all painstakingly concealed within small plastic bags obscured by filter paper.These creatures were held in bags reinforced with adhesive tape and strategically attached to two girdles wrapped around the man's torso, according to statements made by the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru. The inventory included 35 adult tarantulas, approximately the size of a human hand, and 285 juvenile specimens.All insects were identified as native to the Amazon region of Peru, emphasized Walter Silva, a wildlife expert with the government. He noted that the tarantulas are classified as endangered species in Peru. Silva commented, "All were extracted illegally and are part of the illegal wildlife trafficking that moves millions of dollars in the world."The authorities arrested the 28-year-old passenger, who was traveling back to South Korea with a planned connection in France. The National Forest and Wildlife Service has initiated an investigation into the case but has yet to disclose specific charges or release the detainee's name.
