Authorities confiscated nearly 2,000 wild spiders from a shipment intercepted at the air cargo facility of General Santos International Airport on Friday, August 22.
The illegal cargo was discovered at around 3:10 p.m. during a joint inspection led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, and airport screeners.
Inside a box bound for Iloilo, officials found 1,902 spiders placed in resealable plastic sachets. The shipment was flagged after being detected by airport x-ray scanners.
The confiscated wildlife is now under the custody of DENR for proper handling, in line with Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Authorities have yet to identify the sender and intended recipient of the shipment, and investigations remain ongoing.
