A German man has been charged with smuggling hundreds of tarantulas into the United States through the mail, netting more than $300,000, authorities said Friday.
Sven Koppler, 37, was charged with illegally importing wildlife into the country, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
“He is one of the largest importers of illegal tarantulas into the United States,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Mark Williams said. “He has been doing it for several years.”
Full story: Man charged with smuggling tarantulas