Man arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas and centipedes on flight

A South Korean man was arrested in Peru for allegedly attempting to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas and centipedes on a flight back to Korea.

The 28-year-old Korean citizen, who was not named by Peruvian officials, attempted to smuggle 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants from Peru, but was caught at the Jorge Chávez International Airport by authorities, according to a Wednesday press release by Peru’s National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR).

The traveler was caught on Nov. 8 when passing through security at the airport. His stomach appeared “swollen.” He was then asked to lift his shirt. He was wearing two belts that held together packages attached to his body.

The 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 “all were extracted illegally and are part of the illegal wildlife trafficking that moves millions of dollars in the world.”

An investigation into the incident was started. The animals likely came from Madre de Dios, according to the release.

A U.N. report, released in May, found that wildlife trafficking affects over 4,000 plant and animal species around the world. The report was based on data collected between 2015 and 2021 from 162 countries.

“Wildlife crime inflicts untold harm upon nature and it also jeopardizes livelihoods, public health, good governance and our planet’s ability to fight climate change,” said Ghada Waly, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

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