A Peruvian official displays one of the tarantulas that were confiscated from the smuggler. CNN
A man was arrested at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport in Peru after authorities found hundreds of insects strapped to his body. The 28-year-old South Korean man was attempting to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants hidden under his clothing. He was detained after officials noticed his stomach appeared unusually bulky.
On November 8, airport security grew suspicious when the man showed signs of concealing something on his body. Upon searching, officials discovered that the man had packed the insects inside ziplock bags, which were strapped to his abdomen. The insects were thought to have been taken from the Madre de Dios region, a remote part of the Peruvian Amazon, known for its rich biodiversity.
The man was on his way to South Korea, with a stopover in France. After his arrest, he was taken into custody by police. Peru’s national forestry and wildlife service, known as SERFOR, confirmed that an investigation into illegal wildlife trafficking was underway, led by Peru's environmental crimes prosecutor.
The insects were packed in plastic containers and bags, which were fastened to the man's stomach. CNN
The insects found on the man’s body were packaged inside small plastic containers and bags, making them easier to conceal. According to Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist at SERFOR, tarantulas are a threatened species. "They were all illegally extracted and are part of illegal wildlife trafficking, which is worth millions of dollars globally," Silva said in a statement.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of wildlife trafficking in South America. Peru is not the only country facing such problems. In December 2021, authorities in neighboring Colombia seized a large number of tarantulas, cockroaches, and other insects from a suitcase at El Dorado airport in Bogotá. Later that same year, Colombian officials also intercepted a shipment of nearly 3,500 shark fins bound for Hong Kong.
Officials from SERFOR show the insects that were seized. CNN
Authorities in both countries are working to combat illegal wildlife trade, which poses a significant threat to various species. The stolen tarantulas are now in the custody of local wildlife authorities, who will ensure they are safely cared for and protected. Peru has also been working on strengthening its laws and enforcement efforts to prevent wildlife trafficking and preserve its rich natural heritage.
The case of the South Korean smuggler is one of many that underscore the dangerous and illegal practice of wildlife trafficking, a global issue that threatens ecosystems and biodiversity. As law enforcement agencies across South America ramp up efforts to tackle this illegal trade, it remains clear that the problem continues to grow, affecting species both on land and at sea.
