Hundreds of tarantulas seized at Manila airport

Philippine customs officials arrested a Filipino man and seized more than 700 live tarantulas from his possession. The long-legged and venomous spiders were concealed in gift-wrapped oatmeal and cookie boxes, shipped from Poland to Manila.

Manila: Philippine customs officials on Monday seized more than 700 live tarantulas concealed in gift-wrapped oatmeal and cookie boxes, shipped from Poland to Manila.

Bureau of Customs personnel seized the 757 pieces of tarantulas at a mail exchange centre near Manila's international airport and later arrested a Filipino man, who tried to claim the long-legged and venomous spiders, which were declared as "collection items."

Philippine wildlife laws prohibit the trading, collection and possession of such spiders, which are popular pets among arachnid enthusiasts, without permits.

The spiders were valued at between 5,700 - 6,700 US dollars if sold on the black market.