Three Europeans arrested in Peru for attempting to smuggle over 3,000 tarantulas

On Wednesday, November 5, 2026, authorities at the airport in Lima, Peru, arrested one Polish national and two German nationals for attempting to smuggle over 3,000 tarantulas out of the country. The individuals were intercepted while preparing to board a flight to Germany. According to the Peruvian wildlife protection service, SERFOR, the spiders were hidden inside the suspects' luggage.

The seized collection included spider eggs, juveniles, and fully developed adults sourced from various regions of Peru. SERFOR spokesperson Cora Suarez stated that the traffickers had meticulously selected the specimens, which included species not yet described by science. Among the items recovered was the Pamphobeteus antinous, one of South America's largest tarantulas, which is a protected and endangered species under Peruvian law.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident. Reports from SERFOR suggest that at least one of the suspects may be a distinguished individual, though further details on the investigation's next steps or specific legal charges remain limited pending further administrative actions by the local judiciary.