DETAINED by Border Patrol on SUSPICION of Smuggling Tarantulas!
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
- The first video about my 2 week trip to Peru on a Tarantula Expedition is going to start off at the very end! On our way out of Peru, and when we landed into the United States, every member of our group was detained, questioned, and searched by US Customs and Border Patrol on suspicion of attempting to smuggle tarantulas. We were all cleared each time we were searched as no one on our trip would ever attempt to smuggle tarantulas out of Peru, but it was still a wild experience. Apparently we were flagged by US Fish and Wildlife Services and in this video I discuss why I think that may be, what it was like being searched and questioned by federal agents, and how YOU can avoid such an experience if you ever leave the country for an Eco Tour to observe tarantulas in their natural habitat!
Drone footag provided by my friend Alonzo, make sure to follow him on Instagram: / l.alonsotorres
Special thanks to Tyler from The Spider Shoppe:spidershoppe.com/
and Andes to Amazon Expeditions: / andes2amazon.expeditions
for inviting me along on this trip.
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As much as it inconvenienced the group, it's good to see they're watching out for this sort of thing and doing their due diligence
Except they only targeted him because of who he is and the influence in the community he has. Do you really think someone smuggling Tarantula's is going to make themselves that transparent? Sounds like a major waist of time and recourses of a police state if you ask me.
To clarify my statement. I don't think its a waist of time to actively be looking out for smuggling of any kind. But the entire situation is just ridiculous. Especially since he's vocally outspoken about how bad smuggling is.
They were spying on his UA-cam channel. That's why he was flagged. Big brother is watching.........
@@mcbridemotorsports5788 sometimes ''the darkest place is under the candlestick'' though. It's better to check especially those with ties to the hobby, as they may pose as legit, but still do illegal stuff under the radar. It's not that stupid as you think.
No it’s not tarantulas and giant snakes are the least of americas problems
WHAT? first of all invasives are part of nature as are we.
Second, these arent even risk species. Period.
Lastly, even if it was an issue big government and treating humans like property that belongs to the community or the state not only isnt the solution. Its evil and psychotic
Someone recently got caught smuggling around 200 slings from somewhere into the US. They had them in vials, stashed inside a pair of shoes. This may be why they are looking so carefully. I'm glad you had fun. Welcome back.
It was a little scary at first, but the agents were very polite and professional. We all made our connections, so all’s well that ends well! I really do appreciate that they care about invertebrate smuggling.
Invertebrates should be able to be owned and transported without restriction. Them 'caring' isnt helpful AT ALL, and ONLY does harm
They 'care' to do harm. Thats the purpose and the goal. And its the result as well
@@tandava-089 disagree.
@@tandava-089 how does it do harm?
@@TisaShame Prevents species from being owned bred and studied. Inhibits nature. Contributes to die-off of biodiversity. Treats humans as separate from nature rather than a part of it. Discourages the hobby, study, and enthusiasts
I could go on
Bravo for keeping your cool through multiple processes. And Bravo to the US and Peru for trying to protect our eight legged friends and catch those who do smuggle them.
Perhaps the best solution would be for those countries to allow a small number to be bred locally, which can then be exported in a legal manner, while not impacting the local population. It is also much harder to search all of the packages that leave a country.
It's good that they took their job seriously while being respectful and kind. I think conservation is the best way to go about keeping animals alive. Ecosystems around the world are important and shouldn't be destroyed.
Now you know, that the law enforcement is watching your videos, too 🤩 honestly, I think it’s ok, they are watching for tarantulas being smuggled. It’s so bad for the animals and the wildlife of their habitats… we all have seen it with Mexican species! 😢
It’s great, you can talk about your experience. Even if it was nerve wrecking 🙈
It sucks but I was worried some hater would accuse you guys of smuggling, so I’m glad you can all say you went through this and were completely cleared!
It was Tarantula Kat that tipped them off. She was jealous that she didn’t go. 🤣
On a serious note, I can’t wait to see the footage! It looked like it was a very productive trip! Wish I could do something like this in the future. 🤓👍🏼
Glad you are back safe. I’m also happy to know these people care about Tarantulas.
crazy you had to go through this on your first tarantula trip! but as you mentioned, nothing to worry about - its actually a good sign they are watching. had that happen on two occasions already :) Don't let it make you worry and start planning your next trip 🥳
Oh my gosh that is so cool you found a spider with an eggsac!
Well I mean, can't knock'em for caring
That's a crazy story, if that were me I would be scared shitless if I had to be checked thoroughly through security. But you had it done not once but twice which is even crazier. At least it is good to know security takes smuggling animals very seriously and hopefully prevents it from happening.
There's a GREAT episode of "Locked up Abroad" about an exotic animal smuggler, he had tarantulas in his bag and it bit the custom's agent haha
@@shevchenko7cfc941 lmao now i gotta find that
Absolutely, the priority should be conservation of their home territories, but if that's not possible, LEGAL exportation to promote captive breeding projects is the only way to go. Illegal exportation is never a solution, that only encourages more poaching, and causes governments to take a harder stance on ANY exports.
Responsible captive breeding is they only proven way to save doomed species.
Glad you had a great trip, despite the smuggling protocols!! I'm also glad to see that they have measures for such things. But I also agree that if the countries aren't taking care of the environments of any animals (deforestation without other areas of re-seeded and re-growing environments), that the science community needs to start making moves to turn certain lands into 'national parks' and 'reserves' and the like. A lot of the tarantulas that are still being discovered are very specific to a very niche locale, and to lose that could very well mean to lose that species altogether.
I appreciate knowing that you and your trip mates were all cleared and returned safely. It's nice to know there are still decent people out there and knowledge and pictures are still valued as beginning steps of research of new species.
Keep up the great work!
Tarantula Kat strikes again
✌️ damn right
🤣🤣🤣@@tarantulakat
😂
😂😂😂
I'm incredibly proud that all 6 of you are in the hobby. The natural photos and film you captured is incredibly valuable for adding knowledge for care and husbandry. I am looking forward to see future videos from this trip.
Honestly, as someone in the animal keeping hobby, the end of your video filled me with joy. To often, people miss the forest for the trees in passion for animals and fail to cultivate a culture of protection and ethics about how we keep animals.
I am not calling anyone specific out with this, but rather stating a systemic issue in the herp/fish/exotic pet hobby in that I wish to say, too few people lead with Ethics but rather lead with desire for profit. The intense desire to keep some species in captivity has led to what can only be called an atrocity in for example, the aquarium keeping community where endangered animals are captured for sale from wild populations and going to someone with no knowledge on the species (For example, take wild betta species, it applies to most complexes of them) or how to care for it resulting in a shortened lifespan due to stress and improper conditions (ex: putting species in the wrong ph water) and removing them from the breeding population in a way that removes them from the wild gene pool. Its a travesty, but is perpetuated to A. Keep costs low by importing rather than captive breeding in healthy conditions, B. Maximize profit margins on the animal and C. Keep the buyer thinking their pet will be easy to care for to make the sale.
This is.... terrible. It applies to birds, inverts, mammals, fish, and even at times cats and dogs ironically enough.
We as a hobby need to ask the question "Is it worth keeping an animal in captivity if it removes an in theory threatened or worse species from the gene pool of wild populations." There is something to be said about keeping a species in healthy, ethical conditions for our enjoyment yes, but most animals in the hobby are absolutely not kept that way.
Why am I listing this as a problem here? Well, you kind of mentioned it yourself in the video and... I think you're on the same style of wavelength as I am and I wanted to put this out into the world, because this problem don't have to be this way. We as a community can hold each other accountable as a hobbyists, but also members of the industry can lead with education, which, you do, its something I respect. But perhaps there's some partnership to be had across the hobby, maybe in some unrealized infant form yet, between you and other segments of the exotic pet hobby too that could start in a friendly fashion changing the paradigm further.
This is something of a rambling rant and anyone who read it all thank you!
Richard, well said sir!!!! I just wish that when we were searched it wouldn’t have been a big secret as to what they were looking for. Only after I mentioned being former LEO and a FED, did they start hinting at what they were looking for. However, very professional and very thorough.
the, "If you can't" decision making tree...
1- protect the environment.
2- protect the species locally.
3- protect the species non-locally.
4- protect the species without regard to legality.
Well, the trip looked awesome from everyones posts! Cant wait to see the rest of your footage 💜 glad everyone made it back safely. Its good to know FWS takes spider smuggling seriously.
Looking forward to more videos about your expedition! I was searching through the NY Times archives for stories about tarantula smugglers and all I could find was two stories about Europeans trying to smuggle Mexican red knees from the U.S. without permits and another article from 1976 about a guy who got caught but was not charged because that was before tarantulas were regulated. From the article: "After a frantic shuffle through their rule books, the agents discovered that the tarantula was apparently one of those rare things in American life not regulated by the Federal Government."
Happy to hear everything turned out okay! And thank you for the handwritten note on my coffee order! I had no idea you ship them yourself until your note that it was late because you were in Peru 😂. I’m gonna save it like an autograph. Can’t wait for the vids, they’re gonna be next level quality if your previous documentaries are any measure 🕷️
Thanks! And yeah, I'm a one man show...lol. I appreciate the support and your understanding.
@@tarantulacollective that’s one hard working man! I’m in the hobby because of you and my buddy. I take the knowledge and logical approach I got from your vids for granted and didn’t realize until I encountered others who didn’t know what I considered basic knowledge… can’t thank ya enough for everything you do for the community. Don’t work too hard haha 🍻
Thank you for sharing your experience. I appreciate that you were able to express that it was nerve wracking and stressful while still acknowledging the professionalism of people doing their jobs. It seems so often people look for any reason to bash others who are just doing their job. I'm looking forward to seeing the videos from Peru.
I can’t wait to see more of the footage you got- great title though it got me here pretty fast 😂
I'm glad you made it back to the states Richard and thanks for sharing your trip with us all...
My first thought was that someone reported all of you, especially with how specific they were about the six of you.
But cannot wait to see your footage! I've loved all of the social media posts about it!
Very unfortunate that this happened, but next trip out of thw country, id definitely keep it close to the vest! Cant wait to see the footage and future videos! Be safe!
Great story, very well told. When I went to Thailand for a few weeks with my wife's extended family a house gecko laid eggs inside my suitcase. I was lucky because I ended up unpacking and repacking my suitcase so I could take all the stuff I needed to carry home. They never searched my suitcase, but I would not want a surprise gecko when I got home,
I'm just thinking how a tiny insect, spider, or animal could find it's way into your bags totally without your knowledge and cause an international incident,,
Chalk that one up to a real immersive experience! At least they take animal smuggling seriously. That's great! So glad that you had an amazing adventure!
Sounds like they were doing their job and did a good job at doing it. 💯❤
Opsec! Very important.
I'm glad to see that they are doing their jobs. When I came back from employment they did the same thing with us. Maybe not as in depth but still. Also glad to see you're all good.
We learned opsec hardcore for deployments, don't post until after so you're not a target.
Welcome back can’t wait to see what you found on your trip!
Glad to see ppl are doing their jobs and taking things seriously
A buddy of mine had a large turtle shell (which he purchased in the Dominican Republic, inexplicably). It was huge and everyone told him they wouldn’t let him bring it in the US.
He didn’t listen.
The only thing i would say is next time this happens. Don't give direct answers when they ask things like "is there *blank* in your luggage". Always want to say things like "Not to my knowledge" or "Not that i am aware of". The reason for this isnt b/c you are guilty of the situation but due to the very rare fact that something could of crawled into a small pocket in your bag or someone could have even placed it in your checked back while you did not have visual of it. If you directly say no then there is little to no defense you can argue. If you answer with a bit more vague if something was to show up you have a stronger defense... Its a weird legal thing but its also a very important legal thing.
I love your content man ❤❤❤
Welcome back y'all, good to know you
Made it.😊. You guys are doing a good job. ALL YOUR SERVICE is appreciated.
B SAFE,b BLESSED 🕸️🕷️
✝️🛐✌️🤠👍🇺🇸💯
Hello great video information Richard
Richard, you're such a gem. My name is also Richard 😊 I'm glad you had a great trip. I'll look forward to seeing your videos of your adventure.
Cant wait to see the uploads from Peru Richard .
Power of association.
I Don’t even know what to say !!
Thank God your all home safe & that nobody took anything 😳
The fact they can flag and track y'all INSTANTLY over spiders but murders continue to go unsolved is wild to me. Glad they are taking it seriously but damn.
When first seeing the posts and videos i was also thinking "damn, someone must assume theyre smuggling no?"
And there it is.
Appreciate you sharing.
Awesome Video Tarantula Collective🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
great video treat stuff love it
just ordered a large cuboid crib for my t. vagans! I am so excited!
there are so many cool snippets of you doing actually in the wild in this video , are there going to be videos for this
Great video Richard. What upsets me the most is how baboon spiders from my country get into the trade in the US and Europe and are protected here in South Africa 🇿🇦
Oh dang. They watching you. I’m glad that you aren’t smuggling T’s (duh), and that they are cracking down on T smugglers. Thanks for sharing. May it be a cautionary tale for would be smugglers.
It is good to know they take it seriously ! 🕷️ ❤
That's crazy because you're very open about how you were just researching.
Glad your ok good to see they caring for animals thank lord 🙏
What happened to the music in the intro?? It’s a classic👍love that little tune❤
They didn't know the Coca is already gut loaded into the crickets 😂
LMAO I HATE TO LAUGH but like, i feel like border control saw /researched your youtube and saw your logos and was like "mm yeah lets check this guy.... sus" and of course it would be you of all people xD;;; I SWEAR OFFICER I AM NOT SMUGGLING SPIDERS
Glad you are fine. Glad it worked out for you. I don't agree with so many comments praising what was done to you in the name of conservation. You went, signed a good faith document, did nothing wrong, and were still presumed suspect. You were detained, on a false claim of drugs, which shows dishonesty by law enforcement, and were found to be good to go. Then you landed, were detained AGAIN, despite already going through all this rigamarole before, and finally they tell you the truth for all the harassment. Because you are in a certain hobby, and you are with certain people, you are being investigated, despite NO EVIDENCE that a crime was committed. I really can't fathom how people are ok with this. You were profiled, dude. And that's not supposed to be ok anymore.
When he tumbled down the mountain on his ig 😂
Wildlife should be protected, especially rainforests.
We as the west should make a conversation with these countries to start protecting certain areas like they do in some asian countries have national parks.
Even if it costs money I think we should still talk about it.
Once its destroyed it wont get back, thats the sad part about it.
6:46 What a total bummer! Who knew taking souvenirs could be threatening to international security.
I'm only 1 minute in, but I had to say "pictures and photos" 😂 lol.
Ok, I'm going back to the video now lol
I thought there was no Southern Border anymore...
Big brother is watching, and apparently he is worried about invasive species now lol
Thats ironic xD hope all went good
It almost sounded like you were concerned one of the group might have caught one
They have your contact numbers for everyone of the group and they form a relationship map. So if your way-back school friend's grandmother who is 102 goes to Peru she will be checked as well.
quite a trip
Your first mistake was flying into Miami...I have been searched every single time I have returned from Peru in Miami...I have never tried to smuggle anything but they always seem to want to search me for stuff...I started flying out of Fort lauderdale and they have never once searched me or harassed me in anyway when I return...My wife is Peruvian by the way so I have made several trips there and done some Tarantula and Scorpion searching in different parts of Peru...It is an amazing place to observe them in the wild and I have been lucky enough to see many species I wish I could get back here at home lol.
Fun times!
Hey.
Just want to give all Tarantula lovers some Amazing Knowledge.
At least as for The V. Vicularia not all Tarantulas molt on their back.
And they also don't go immobile.
Mines was moving around tho not doing laps as it was a few days prior.
But most definitely moving at least 2 inches up and down it's tunnel.
Then when I came back home I noticed something odd.
Thinking that all Tarantulas molt on their back and are immobilized.
I dropped a couple water drops into the top of its enclosure and it moved away from it's sold body.
Crisp and shinny with the brightest pink toes than ever.
Oh my gawd!
Someone def tipped them off. They work off tips. People are haters.
Ooh, there’s a prominent fish and wildlife agent who keeps tarantulas? I wants to know more….
Did they get the rubber gloves out? 😏🤣
I live in Peru and there´s no legislation for any of these animals not even for protection of the species or trading, sad considering the great diversity of species lot of them living near or in urban areas where people kill them because they don´t value them or consider them pests, it would be nice if in the future hobby made peruvians change their mind about these animals and preserve them for love of nature or comercial purposes since its wealth in animal species is what Peru has the most to offer, this latter obviously well legislated, prioritizing animals welfare before money.
you was with them
you are being watched
Guaranteed, the person responsible for falsely reporting you is sitting, watching, and laughing.
Possible it was a “guilt “ by association situation?
I got held for 5 hours going into England. Sympathies!
Glad you are back and safe! I'm so glad I have never left the USA and never will!!!
They should know better, you speak out against the problems of snuggling critters. It's great how they are working to insure the continuation of animals in the wild.
Shame your gifts got taken though! At least it is nice to know they do take it seriously
Damn.
Some friends of mine got held at the border for saying they were from Cochiti instead of saying American Citizen. Cochiti is a Native American pueblo in NM.
Be honest. Did they have you spread the cheeks 😂😂😂
Oof, what a pain. One of the reasons why I hate travelling.
For future reference, law enforcement can not detain you without an articulatable cause. In this case, they did. Next time, I'd ask, "Am I being detained?" If yes, inform them that they must give you an articulatable cause. No need to be hostile about it, but you have rights.
Hi Richard
10:41... Oh that could be too, didn't even think about that...
\O>
You live in Miami Florida???
I live in Kendall and I’ve lived in Miami all my life I would live to meet you one day and get one of my shirts signed by you
That's great that they are diligent in checking for smugglers ,but to take your incense and pencil crayons. That's kind of silly
Peru imports go through Miami. Almost every Peru shipment gets checked for coca leaf. They probably saw your spider hobby and decided to look deeper. The fact that you came through the port that has the highest customs security from South America makes none of this a surprise.
legend português Brazil Please Bro
They wanted your autograph you know they all secertly watch your channel 😅. Dont surprise me they would think u smuggled in tarantulas.
So you’re saying make sure to get to airport many hours ahead of time so you don’t miss your flight? About time they took animal smuggling serious for a change.