Customs intercepts tarantulas, scorpions smuggled from Thailand

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) last week intercepted 20 endangered tarantulas and eight scorpions smuggled into the Philippines from Thailand through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement released on Monday, the BOC said it intercepted the package that entered the Philippines through the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Records showed that the package came from Samut Parakain, Thailand which was misdeclared as "teaching equipment" and imported without the necessary import permits.

The tarantulas and scorpions were then turned over to the Wildlife Monitoring Unit (WMU) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for safekeeping and rehabilitation.

Under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act, those found guilty of illegally importing, collecting, and trading of endangered wildlife could face imprisonment of six years and finds of P200,000.

Meanwhile, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) states that the unlawful importation of goods worth over P250,000 including duties and taxes will be penalized by imprisonment of 31 days to six months or fines of P25,000 to P75,000.

To recall, the BOC NAIA intercepted 119 tarantulas from Poland in October, concealed in a pair of rubber shoes.

Moving forward, the BOC said it will intensify border protection and continue to man the air cargo terminals and warehouses round-the-clock to check on the entry of illicit goods.—LDF, GMA News