The Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said Friday, Dec. 2, that it has foiled an attempted wildlife smuggling of 23 tarantulas at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
BOC-Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita Talusan said the tarantulas were found concealed inside plastic containers in a parcel from Hanoi, Vietnam last Nov. 21.
The parcel was consigned to a claimant from Makati City, and was declared as "snacks and other food stuff," Talusan said.
The official said all 23 tarantulas were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for monitoring and safekeeping.
Talusan said the illegal shipment violates Section 1113 (Property subject to seizure and forfeiture) in relation to Sections 117 (Regulated importation and exportation) and 1401 (Unlawful importation and exportation) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Section 27 (Illegal acts) of RA No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.