Airport officials discover 3,000 tarantulas smuggled inside dirty socks

Airport officials discover 3,000 tarantulas smuggled inside dirty socks Advertisement Updated: 5:22 PM EST Nov 6, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Brian Wiechert Digital Content Manager Airport officials discover 3,000 tarantulas smuggled inside dirty socks Updated: 5:22 PM EST Nov 6, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Brian Wiechert Digital Content Manager More than 3,000 tarantulas were discovered stuffed inside dirty socks that were packed in the luggage of travelers as they prepared to board a flight. Peruvian authorities say the spiders were hidden in labeled stockings inside three suitcases belonging to two German citizens and a Polish citizen on a flight from Lima’s Jorge Chávez International to Germany. Advertisement Related video above | Red-eyed, three lipped sea spider species discovered Officials with the Peruvian National Forest and Wildlife Service , known as SERFOR, said the haul included eggs, young spiders and adults, with some species not yet described by science. The tarantulas came from several regions of Peru, including Junín, Loreto, Cajamarca, Cusco and La Libertad. Police arrested the three travelers at the airport as they were checking in, and they face criminal charges related to environmental crimes. They also will face administrative proceedings, officials with SERFOR said. One of the detainees is reportedly a well-known tarantula researcher, according to scientific publications cited by the agency. Authorities suspect the spiders were meant for collectors, research or the pet trade. After they are identified and evaluated, the tarantulas will be transferred to an authorized breeding center. Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Watch: Giant pandas make much-anticipated debut at Zoo Atlanta 19-year-old to become one of Massachusetts' youngest representatives in state history Dramatic video: Mother rescues man drowning 'We brought him home': A WWII soldier killed 82 years ago has finally been laid to rest