Customs seize live tarantulas, preserved animals in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines — About 100 live tarantulas and preserved animals were intercepted by Customs airport officials at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.

In a statement late Thursday, the Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC NAIA) said six illegally imported wildlife packages were seized, two of which contained 100 live venomous tarantulas.

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The tarantulas, which BOC NAIA said came from Poland and Malaysia, were placed inside transparent plastic containers and declared as “mails and toys.”

Seventy-one pieces of stingray skin were also found in a package from Jakarta, Indonesia, while camel hide, stuffed moose head, and fox came from United Arab of Emirates (UAE), Norway, and France, respectively.

“These stuffed animals can bring exotic disease and pose health risks in absence of Quarantine certificates and Import permits,” the BOC NAIA said.

Authorities said violators of wildlife trading laws face imprisonment of up to two years and fines of up to P200,000.

The confiscated packages were turned over to Wildlife Trafficking Management Unit, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and  Bureau of Animal Industry, the BOC NAIA said.

The BOC NAIA said it has been active in intercepting the entry and exit of contraband wildlife. It has intercepted 1,529 duct-taped exotic turtles and tortoises from Hong Kong last March, and 757 live tarantulas from Poland last April.

Overall, the Customs has seized a total of 3,014 wildlife and endangered species since 2018. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)