Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
You Can't Mail Tarantulas from Germany to L.A.
Photo by scragz via Flickr
()
A man accused of smuggling hundreds (hundreds!) of tarantulas (tarantulas!) into the United States via U.S. mail was arrested by undercover federal agents yesterday after he arrived in Los Angeles, according to KTLA.
Sven Koppler of Watchtberg, Germany has been under investigation since March when a routine search of an international package revealed 300 live tarantulas that were being shipped to L.A. without being declared and without permits. The investigation was aptly named "Operation Spiderman."
Fish and Wildlife agents intercepted another package that contained 250 live tarantulas, including 22 Mexican red-kneed tarantulas, a species that is protected under an international treaty and can only be legally traded with special permits.
His final spider slip-up? Undercover agents posed as customers and Koppler took their orders for dozens of tarantulas. It is believed he made $300,000 in international spider sales and many in the tarantula trade regard Koppler as a well-known and highly respected dealer.
Support for LAist comes from
He is charged with one count of illegally importing wildlife into the U.S. and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist