The Bureau of Customs has intercepted 757 live venomous tarantulas worth more than P300,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which came from Poland.
Customs District collector Carmelita Talusan has turned over the seized tarantulas to the Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit-Department of Environment and Natural Resources for safekeeping.
She said the confiscated tarantulas valued at P310, 000 were seized by Customs agents of the Port of NAIA at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City on Wednesday.
The tarantulas which were classified as endangered wildlife species were found concealed in gift-wrapped oatmeal and cookies.
“The shipment was sent from Poland by a certain Wojciech Pakasz and was consigned to Jesse Camaro, a resident of Caloocan City,” she said.
“Violators of Illegal Wildlife Trading may face imprisonment of one year to two years and a fine of twenty thousand pesos,” she said.
The BoC-NAIA has turned over to DENR a total of 2,152 wildlife and endangered species including the 250 geckos, 254 corals and other endangered reptiles which were apprehend thru air parcels, baggage and shipments since 2018.
Recently, 63 iguanas, chameleon, and bearded dragons were also intercepted by operatives of BoC-NAIA.
“BoC NAIA will continue to protect the borders against importation and exportation of illegal wildlife trade and other prohibited and anti-social goods,” Talusan added.