The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Travelers busted at airport with over 3,000 tarantulas hidden away in their socks
Over 3,000 tarantulas were found hidden inside pairs of socks in three suitcases at a Peru airport, leading to the detention of two Germans and one Polish citizen.
Three travelers at an airport in Callao, Peru, were found to be carrying more than 3,000 tarantulas hidden inside socks packed in three suitcases. The discovery was made as the passengers prepared to board a flight to Germany, according to SERFOR, Peru’s National Forestry and Wildlife Service.
Authorities say the tarantulas were concealed inside 15 to 22 socks per suitcase, with specimens of several species at different life stages, ranging from eggs and juveniles to adults. The three travelers—two German citizens and one Polish citizen—were detained by Peru’s environmental crimes police while checking in for their flight.
The seizure prompted an official investigation after an anonymous tip led investigators to search the luggage. SERFOR officials noted the tarantulas can be valuable to collectors, due to factors like color and size.
The travelers now face criminal proceedings led by Peru’s specialized environmental prosecutor’s office. A wildlife-control technician with SERFOR commented on the motivation behind such smuggling, noting market demand can drive illicit wildlife trafficking.