The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) headed by District Collector Mimel Talusan foiled an attempt at wildlife smuggling of 23 tarantulas at the Central Mail Exchange Center recently.
The parcel from Hanoi, Vietnam, consigned to a claimant in Makati City, declared as “snacks and other foodstuffs,” turned out to contain 23 tarantulas that were concealed in plastic containers of chips.
The tarantulas were immediately turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for monitoring and safekeeping.
The said illegal shipment violates Section 1113 in relation to Sections 117 and 1401 of RA 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Section 27 of RA 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
This year, the Port of NAIA has seized several exotic aquatic wildlife species from different countries.
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia has also recognized the Port for its efforts against wildlife trafficking.
Talusan said that the BOC-Port of NAIA under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, strictly implements the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to intensify border protection. (JERRY TAN)
