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Cologne shocked: 1,500 tarantulas exposed as a cookie delivery!
On July 14, 2025, Cologne customs discovered around 1,500 hidden tarantulas in a package from Vietnam, disguised as cookies.
Cologne shocked: 1,500 tarantulas exposed as a cookie delivery!
In Cologne, a short interlude in a package is causing a stir: At Cologne/Bonn Airport, customs recently discovered around 1,500 tarantulas that were hidden in a package from Vietnam. The plan was to send the package to a recipient in Sauerland. But instead of seven kilograms of cookies, the exotic animals were in small plastic containers and cookie packaging, as Schwäbische.de reports.
Customs spokesman Jens Ahland describes the discovery as particularly noticeable because a “noticeable smell” was noticed when the package was opened. Over the last three weeks, the case has been kept in focus by customs officials. Ultimately the spiders came to light, many of which were already dead, but there were also live specimens. These survivors were immediately transferred to a specialist for care.
The background of spider transport
Illegal trade in exotic animals is a serious problem that does not stop at Europe's borders. According to [ Zoll.de ](https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Press Releases/DE/Sonstiges/2025/y88_vogelspinnen_k.html), all animals from non-EU countries must be declared at customs and any import taxes due must be paid. The parcel recipient in Sauerland is facing criminal proceedings as a result of this incident.
Cologne/Bonn Airport has often had to deal with illegal animal transport in the past. This time, however, the number of tarantulas discovered was quite extraordinary and amazed not only the officials, but also the public. The oppressive idea that such a transport was on the way illustrates how important strict compliance with legal requirements is.
An outlook on future operations
The customs officials will not let up and will continue to pay more attention to preventing such transports in the future. It should not be forgotten that this incident highlights the animal welfare issues in the transport industry. The illegal trade in animals can also pose health risks, which is why law enforcement officers must continue to have a good hand in detecting similar cases at an early stage in the future.
The incident in Cologne clearly shows how important customs are for the protection of animals and compliance with the law. A good system in the background ensures that such questionable and animal welfare-violating transports do not slip through the cracks. The Cologne customs officers are on guard and ready to ensure that order is maintained in the future. The excitement surrounding the hidden tarantulas cannot be denied, and this story will certainly remain in the memory of the people of Cologne for a long time.