Two illegal wildlife traders were convicted by a Pasay City court, the Bureau of Customs-Port of NAIA (BOC-NAIA) disclosed on Saturday, Oct. 15.
In a statement, the BOC said two wildlife traders were found guilty of violating the Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) and Section 1401 (a) of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
The first accused was sentenced to 10 days imprisonment and a fine of P26,000 for smuggling 10 tarantulas. The 10 heads of tarantula worth approximately P75,000 were declared as "origami."
Meanwhile, the second accused was the claimant of a parcel containing 41 different kinds of wildlife species declared "Lego Toys." He was sentenced to seven months imprisonment and meted a fine totaling P125,000.
The accused was arrested on May 28 after claiming 41 wildlife species (sulcate tortoise, black pond turtle, bearded dragon, corn snake, and savannah lizards) with an estimated value of P284,000.
"The conviction manifests the commitment of the BOC, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to penalize smugglers of illegal goods and contrabands; and serve as a deterrent and warning to others engaging in similar unlawful activities," the statement read.