P3.5 million exotic aquatic animals seized at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — Government agents have confiscated at least P3.5 million worth of exotic aquatic animals and plants at the Philippine Skylander Inc. warehouse at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

The undeclared shipment composed of albino, soft shell turtles, pacman turtles, exotic fish, anubias and microsorum plants arrived from Thailand on Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The aquatic animals were imported by Aquatic Enterprises without the necessary permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, BOC NAIA district collector Mimel Talusan said.

Talusan said charges of violating Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act would be filed against the importer.

The BOC was recently recognized by Traffic Southeast Asia for its efforts against wildlife trafficking, which resulted in the interception of 923 tarantulas and other arachnids, five centipedes, 66 Philippine and Malaysian reptiles, 22 Thailand bearded dragons and six Thailand live tegus in 2021.