Man Gets 6 Months For Smuggling hundreds of Tarantulas into US

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<div>A German man was sentenced to six months in federal prison for bringing hundreds of tarantulas into the United States by mail. U.S. District Judge S. James Otero said he hoped the sentencing of Sven Koppler, 37, of Wachtburg, Germany, would deter others from trying to smuggle animals into the U.S. Court documents filed in the case estimated the illegal wildlife trade generates as much as $20 billion a year. Koppler earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling goods into the U.S. and faced up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors had recommended Koppler serve 10 months. Koppler portrayed himself as a spider breeder and said shipping the arachnids is legal in Europe and other countries.
 
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