Smuggling operation against US museum director at Istanbul Airport! 1,500 scorpions, spiders, and tarantulas seized

The Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Smuggling Crimes Bureau carried out a striking operation. In a joint operation with airport authorities yesterday, approximately 1,500 venomous animals, including endemic species of scorpions, tarantulas, and spiders native to Turkey, were seized inside 58 clip-seal bags, along with 88 plastic tubes containing liquid.

US MUSEUM CURATOR IN CUSTODY

During the operation, Lorenzo Prendini, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, was detained for attempting to smuggle these endemic species to the US in his suitcase.

1 LITER WORTH 10 MILLION DOLLARS

It is stated that the venom from endemic animal species living in Turkey is used in pharmaceutical production by copying their DNA information and collecting their venom through milking methods. It was reported that these drugs have very high financial value, and for this reason, the export of these animal species is prohibited. According to research, it is stated that the market value of 1 liter of medicine obtained from scorpion venom is 10 million dollars.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE SUSPECT CONTINUES

Meanwhile, the investigation into Lorenzo Prendini, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, who was caught and detained as a "suspect" within the scope of the operation, continues under the charge of "Violation of Law No. 5607." On the other hand, footage of the moment of the operation and the seized scorpions has emerged. While the tarantulas and scorpions were displayed at the police station, the moments when the American endemic animal smuggler, who was detained as a "suspect," was taken into custody were captured on camera.

News Source: İHA