A peculiar odor led German customs officials at Cologne-Bonn Airport to a shocking discovery. Upon opening several boxes declared to contain chocolate cake, they found 1,500 large, hairy tarantulas crammed into plastic containers.
Unusual Aroma Leads to Discovery
According to The Washington Post, the packages originated from Vietnam and were destined for North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. An “unusual aroma,” inconsistent with the declared chocolate cake, alarmed officials, prompting them to open the packages. Inside, they found the live spiders, most still alive, packed into small containers.
Maja Ley, a spokesperson for Cologne customs, stated that many of the tarantulas did not survive, indicating a violation of German animal welfare regulations. An investigation has now been launched against both the sender and the recipient of the package in the Sauerland region.
“Most shocking is that someone seeks profit by sacrificing animal welfare,” Ley told The Washington Post.
High Value and Growing Problem of Exotic Animal Smuggling
The exact value of these tarantulas was not disclosed, but adult spiders of certain species can fetch hundreds of dollars when traded online in Germany. According to the National Wildlife Federation in the U.S., some tarantula species can reach up to 28 cm (11 inches) in leg span.
The smuggling of exotic animals is a growing international phenomenon. In November alone, a South Korean national was arrested in Peru attempting to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas, centipedes, and venomous ants, which were reportedly placed in bags and strapped around his abdomen.
Jens Ahland, another spokesperson for German customs, described the seizure of 1,500 tarantulas as “extraordinary and shocking even for the most experienced officials.” He noted that while jewelry, snake skin, or crocodile leather are more frequently intercepted, this case far exceeded all expectations.
