Nightmare cubed: more than 3000 tarantulas smuggled in dirty socks found at a Peruvian airport

Peruvian authorities seized over 3000 tarantulas at a Lima airport, which were being smuggled to Germany. The spiders were hidden in dirty socks inside three suitcases carried by two Germans and a Pole. Customs officials discovered the illegal cargo during a routine check after noticing unusual movements in the luggage. Experts estimate that a single tarantula could fetch up to 500 euros in Europe, potentially valuing the shipment at 1.5 million euros. The spiders, originating from various regions of Peru, included eggs, newly hatched individuals, and adults. The suspects have been arrested for environmental crimes and face prosecution.