A South Korean man has been arrested in Peru for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas and centipedes onto a flight back to Korea.
The 28-year-old Korean national, who was not named by Peruvian officials, tried to smuggle 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants from Peru but was caught by authorities at Jorge Chávez International Airport, according to a press release from Wednesday. by the Peruvian National Forest and Nature Service (SERFOR).
The traveler was caught going through airport security on November 8. His stomach appeared ‘swollen’. He was then asked to lift his shirt. He wore two belts that held the packages together on his body.
Officials recovered 35 adult tarantulas, 285 juvenile tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants, according to the release.
Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist at SERFOR, said: “They are all illegally mined and part of the illegal wildlife trade, which generates millions of dollars around the world.”
An investigation into the incident was launched. The release said the animals were likely from Madre de Dios.
A UN report published in May found that wildlife trafficking affects more than 4,000 plant and animal species worldwide. The report was based on data collected between 2015 and 2021 from 162 countries.
“Wildlife crime causes untold damage to wildlife, as well as endangering livelihoods, public health, good governance and our planet’s ability to combat climate change,” said Ghada Waly, executive director of the Bureau of Drugs and Drugs. United Nations Crime.
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