Government agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted a smuggled shipment of live tarantulas and preserved animals from various countries.
NAIA Customs chief Carmelita Talusan said her men seized the six illegally imported wildlife packages at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City last Tuesday.
Two boxes contained 100 live venomous tarantulas placed in transparent plastic containers and were declared as “mails and toys” from Poland and Malaysia.
The seized shipment was turned over to Wildlife Trafficking Management Unit, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Bureau of Animal Industry for proper custody.
Also intercepted was a shipment of 71 pieces of stingray skin found in a package from Jakarta, Indonesia as well as packages containing camel hide, stuffed moose head and fox which came from United Arab of Emirates, Norway, and France.
Stuffed animals if imported without the necessary quarantine certificates and import permits can bring exotic diseases and pose health risks to the public.
Two months ago, NAIA Customs agents also seized a shipment of 757 pieces of smuggled live tarantulas from Poland.
