German customs officials find tarantulas hidden in spongecake boxes
'My colleagues at the airport are regularly surprised by the contents of prohibited packages from all over the world, but the fact that they found around 1,500 small plastic containers containing young tarantulas in this package left even the most experienced among them speechless,' Mr Ahland said in a statement.
Plastic containers holding young tarantulas (Haupzollamt Koeln via AP)
Mr Ahland hailed an 'extraordinary seizure,' but one that 'saddens us to see what some people do to animals purely for profit'.
Many of the eight-legged creatures did not survive the trip, in a suspected violation of German animal-welfare rules, while survivors were given to the care of an expert handler, the office said.
Mr Ahland said that the estimated value of the shipment was being assessed.
Criminal proceedings are under way against the intended recipient in the Sauerland region, east of the airport, in part for alleged violations of failure to pay the proper import duties and make the proper customs declarations, the office said.
The tarantulas were discovered about three weeks ago, but the customs office only made the images public on Monday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
'I shared a dorm with Ghislaine Maxwell - she isn't suicidal in the least'
Jessica Watson (right) shared her thoughts on her former prison open dormmate, Ghislaine Maxwell (middle) as the Trump administration faces backlash around Jeffrey Epstein's (left) apparent client list (Pictures: REX/AP) Ghislaine Maxwell's former prison dormmate has shared an unsettling take on what could happen to the accomplice of the late Jeffrey Epstein. Jessica Watkins, who was behind bars for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot, posted a train of thoughts around Maxwell, who has said she is willing to testify before Congress on Epstein's apparent full client list. 'Just putting this out there: I know Ghislaine Maxwell personally when I was in prison with her. She isn't suicidal in the least,' wrote Watkins on X on Monday. 'There are also virtually no working cameras in FCI Tallahassee. Just getting ahead of potential narratives.' Ghislaine Maxwell has expressed willingness to testify before Congress on the Epstein list (Picture: Getty Images) Watkins' post seemed to suggest that Maxwell's life could be in danger. She spoke out as the Trump administration faces backlash after the Justice Department and FBI last week released a two-page memo stating that no incriminating Epstein client list was found during an extensive review. Some lawmakers including Republicans have called for greater transparency from the federal agencies. And many of President Donald Trump's supporters are disillusioned because he has defended his administration's review, and told them 'not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about'. The memo stated that there was no evidence that Epstein, a convicted sex offender and former financier, kept a client list or blackmailed powerful people. It also reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in his cell in 2019. Jessica Watkins shared an open door in prison with Ghislaine Maxwell (Picture: AP) Watkins, who was pardoned by Trump, said there were 'maybe ten' working cameras at the prison when she lived there in an open dorm with Maxwell. She added that if Maxwell were to disappear, 'it would not (be) by her own hand'. Staying away from Maxwell was difficult even though Watkins tried to keep to herself. 'She always creeped me out, so I avoided her when I could,' Watkins wrote. The Trump administration has faced backlash after the Justice Department and FBI stated that they found no incriminating Jeffrey Epstein client list (Picture: AFP) 'But even still, we talked often enough. In prison, it's kinda unavoidable.' Watkins said that Maxwell was a 'staunch advocate for her fellow inmates' and 'actually very nice'. She added that Maxwell was safer in the open dorm with about 50 other witnesses 'than in the SHU', a special housing unit where she was sometimes sent to speak privately with the press. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Seven officers investigated after man 'in crisis' dies during Boston arrest Arrow MORE: Three women arrested on terror charges after van driven into defense factory Arrow MORE: Trump warns Zelensky not to fire missiles on Moscow
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Teen, 15, on trial over ISIS suicide plot to bomb Taylor Swift concert causing UK shows to be axed
Berlin's Superior Court of Justice agreed to a trial behind closed doors TAY 'BOMB' TRIAL Teen, 15, on trial over ISIS suicide plot to bomb Taylor Swift concert causing UK shows to be axed A TEEN has gone on trial over an IS suicide plot to bomb a Taylor Swift concert that led to three of the pop star's shows being axed and tighter security at her UK dates. The lad, 15, named as Mohammad A, is accused of translating bomb instructions from Arabic and sending them to the alleged mastermind. 2 Taylor Swift's concerts were supposed to take place at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna before they were cancelled due to the terror threats 2 Taylor later said she felt a 'tremendous amount of guilt' and 'new sense of fear' over threats faced by her fans Credit: Getty Austrian Beran A, 19, allegedly planned a suicide blast at an Eras tour gig in Vienna last August. German-educated Syrian Mohammad A was nicked on the day the gigs were axed after his name was found in Beran A's contacts, it was said. Shake it Off singer Taylor later said she felt a 'tremendous amount of guilt' and 'new sense of fear' over threats faced by her fans. Berlin's Superior Court of Justice agreed to a trial behind closed doors. Berlin's Superior Court of Justice agreed with his defence lawyers' request for a private trial due to his age and 'heated press coverage' of the case. Prosecutors say the teen started following Islamic State ideology in 2024 - and pledged loyalty to the terror group in a text. They have also said the main suspect in Austria, Beran A, was still under investigation. After the alleged plot emerged, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were accused of pressing police into giving Taylor, 35, a blue-light escort for her gigs in the capital. The London Mayor was among Labour figures who bagged freebies to her sell-out shows which took place amid heightened security.
ITV News
14 hours ago
- ITV News
Nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz who died in Southend plane crash 'was on first day in job'
A nurse who was among four people killed in a plane crash in Southend was on her first day in the job. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, was on board the private medical jet that went down in flames after shortly after take-off on Sunday. Originally from Chile, Ms Ortiz was a German national, and is believed to have been on her first day on the job, according to reports. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family to help with the costs of repatriation and funeral services. Organiser Julia Estaben wrote on the fundraising page: "The death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident is still under investigation by the authorities. "In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organize ourselves to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses - transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to give her a proper send-off." The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm. According to a document that lists passengers, Ms Ortiz was on board along with two Dutch pilots, who also died. It is believed the fourth passenger was another nurse. The team had dropped off a patient in Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." "Zeusch Aviation continues to fully cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected.'Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was "too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. London Southend Airport remains closed on Tuesday.
