The government has won a legal case against a trader accused of smuggling 757 tarantulas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a decision dated Nov. 20, Judge Allan Ariola of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 48 found Jesse Camaro guilty of violating the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
He ordered Camaro jailed and to pay P120,000 in fines.
“This will serve as a deterrent and warning to others engaging in similar illegal activities that the full force of the law will eventually place them behind bars,” said Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan.
Talusan said Customs examiners discovered the tarantulas concealed inside boxes of cookies and oatmeal.
Customs agents in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources seized the shipment from Poland after Camaro claimed it in April 2019 at the Central Mail Exchange Center.
The spiders were valued at P310,900, with customs duties and taxes amounting to P54,752.
In March, the DENR commended the Port of NAIA for intercepting smuggled wildlife and endangered species, including the shipment of tarantulas.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu awarded the certificate of recognition to Talusan during the World Wildlife Day at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.
Customs-NAIA had seized a total of 3,084 wildlife and endangered species from the illegal wildlife trade from 2018 to 2019. The seizures included 1,529 turtles and tortoises, 757 live tarantulas, live geckos, 254 live Corals and snakes.
The bureau also seized endangered species through different modes of smuggling into the Philippines.