Australian Customs seized two shoe boxes see poisonous snake spiders

Australian customs officers seized two shoe boxes sent from Europe to Melbourne, only to find that they were not shoes, but poisonous snakes, spiders and scorpions.

Australian customs officials issued a statement today (4th) saying that customs officers seized two boxes from Northern Europe with shoes written on the label in Melbourne last month.

However, when customs officers opened the inspection, they found six poisonous snakes from Southeast Asia, three ball pythons, nine tarantulas from Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, and the Asian rainforest black scorpion.

Australian customs officials point out that these animals pose a significant biosecurity risk because they may carry pests and diseases that are not present in Australia.

Authorities are also investigating where the animals originated and believe smugglers were supposed to sell them on the black market.