320 tarantulas on the body: a very brave smuggler was arrested in Peru (3 photos + 1 video)

In addition to the poisonous spiders, the man was trying to smuggle 110 centipedes and nine ants out of the country.





A 28-year-old South Korean citizen was stopped at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, while trying to smuggle nearly 500 insects, including 320 poisonous tarantulas.



The incident occurred in early November after police officers noticed the man's abdomen appeared "abundant," the country's national forestry and wildlife service SERFOR said in a statement released days later.

A search revealed hundreds of insects packed in zip-lock bags attached to his abdomen, the statement said.

Police detained the man, who was heading to South Korea via France, and Peru's environmental crimes prosecutor has opened an investigation, the agency added.



The insects are believed to have been taken from the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. They are now under the care of authorities.

Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist at SERFOR, said in a statement that the tarantulas are an endangered species.

"They were all illegally taken and are part of the illegal wildlife trade, which is worth millions of dollars worldwide," Silva said.

Peru is not the only South American country facing wildlife trafficking problems.