Cologne: Customs officers in Germany seized some 1,500 tarantulas that were hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes at Cologne Bonn airport. The package, which was sent from Vietnam, was intercepted during routine checks.

According to Deutsche Welle, the discovery was made by customs officers who were conducting standard inspections at the airport. The officers were surprised to find the live tarantulas concealed within the seemingly innocuous cookie packages. The origin of the package was traced back to Vietnam, raising concerns about the illegal wildlife trade.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the intended destination of the tarantulas and to identify any potential violations of wildlife protection laws. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by customs officials in preventing the smuggling of exotic species.

The successful interception of the package underscores the vigilance of customs officers at Cologne Bonn airport and their commitment to combating illegal wildlife trafficking.