BOC stops smuggling of over 80 live spiders in Pasay

Customs operatives have thwarted the attempted smuggling of over 80 live young spiders or spiderlings at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) unit at the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intercepted the spiderlings, which arrived via parcel mail with contents declared as "origami" products.

"Eighty-four (84) live spiderlings were found during the physical examination of the customs officers after the initial x-ray scanning showed suspicious images," the BOC said in a statement on Saturday.

The parcel was consigned to an address in Biñan, Laguna.

The bureau said that the smuggling attempt violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act concerning the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said, "The dedication of the BOC in preventing smuggling is a crucial barrier against exploitation of wildlife, and in maintaining robust national biosecurity and ecological balance." — VDV, GMA Integrated News