Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted a shipment of snakes and other wildlife species bound for Taiwan.
Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said the shipment of two cobras, eight pit vipers, and 15 sailfin lizards concealed in bamboo chimes and lanterns was discovered at the DHL Warehouse last Thursday.
The exporter identified as Adrian Lim, a resident of Pasig City, declared the package as “souvenir items”, which was consigned to a certain “Ryan Su” of Taiwan.
Talusan’s men intercepted the shipment with the help of personnel from the agency’s Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, X-Ray Inspection Project, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and DHL in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The seized cobras, pit vipers, and sailfin lizards were immediately turned over to the DENR main office in Quezon City for proper handling and disposition.
The authorities are now conducting further investigation and case build up against the shipper and co-conspirators for illegal wildlife trade.
“Port of NAIA remains vigilant not only in the interception of illegal drugs but also in illegal wildlife trade,” said Talusan.
Late last year, the Port of NAIA won a legal case against a trader responsible for the smuggling of 757 pieces of spiders at the 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 or Republic Act 9147 and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Aside from the jail term, the court also ordered Camaro to pay a fine of P120,000.
Customs examiners discovered the tarantulas concealed inside the boxes of cookies and oatmeal.
The spiders were valued at P310,900, with customs duties and taxes amounting to P54,752.