German customs officers at Leipzig/Halle Airport were left stunned after uncovering a highly unusual smuggling attempt involving live tarantulas hidden inside a chocolate sponge cake.
The bizarre discovery was made when officials inspected a suspicious package arriving from South America. X-ray scans revealed anomalies within what appeared to be an ordinary dessert box.
Creepy Crawly Confiscation
Upon closer examination, authorities found:
- 28 live tarantulas carefully packaged in small plastic containers
- The spiders concealed beneath layers of chocolate sponge
- Additional plastic tubes containing spider eggs
The intended recipient, a 37-year-old German man, now faces serious wildlife trafficking charges. Experts believe the rare species could have fetched thousands on the black market.
Why This Smuggling Method Matters
Customs spokesperson Uwe Döring explained: "Smugglers constantly develop new methods to evade detection. This case shows why we must remain vigilant about even seemingly innocent items."
The protected spiders were transferred to a specialist facility, while the cake met a less sweet fate in the incinerator.
