Customs Officials Find Hundreds Of Tarantulas Inside Luggage

Hundreds of live tarantulas were confiscated by Dutch customs on a flight from Peru to Amsterdam during a trip to the Netherlands. The giant spiders, some of a type little known to science, were found hidden in a couple’s luggage. In a statement issued by Schiphol airport’s umbrella Finance Ministry it was stated, “The animals were collected by a German couple on a recent trip to Peru and were put in plastic containers and tubes hidden in their clothing and shoes.” According to news.com.au, a criminal case has been opened against the couple. Additionally, the spiders have been handed over to Dutch animal welfare authorities for further investigation. Although animals are regularly smuggled into the Netherlands from other countries, it has never been in this quantity. Moreover, seahorses are the most popular organism smuggled in. [Source: Gadling]