"U.S. Museum Curator's Shocking Spider Smuggling Attempt!"
A curator from the American Museum of Natural History was stopped in Istanbul for allegedly trying to smuggle spider and scorpion samples, Turkish media reported. The curator claimed he had government permits for his research.
U.S. Museum Curator Allegedly Tried to Smuggle 1,500 Dead Spiders and Scorpions out of Turkey
ISTANBUL — On Monday, a curator from the American Museum of Natural History was stopped in Istanbul for allegedly trying to smuggle spider and scorpion samples, Turkish media reported. The curator claimed he had government permits for his research.
Lorenzo Prendini, an arachnid expert at the New York museum, was detained by police at Istanbul Airport. He was accused of trying to take about 1,500 samples out of the country, according to news outlets. The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Prendini was held for allegedly trying to smuggle species found in Turkey.
Bags with scorpions and spiders were displayed on a table during a press conference. Bunyamin Celik / Anadolu via Getty Images
Bags with various scorpions and spiders from Turkey found in the alleged smuggling operation in Istanbul on Monday. Bunyamin Celik / Anadolu via Getty Images.
In emails to The Associated Press, Prendini said the police ignored his permits from the Turkish government for research with Turkish scientists.
Scorpions and spiders from Turkey found in a smuggling operation in Istanbul on Monday. Bunyamin Celik / Anadolu via Getty Images
"The police completely ignored this and listened to an 'expert' who has a conflict of interest with my collaborators ... and whose scientific research is very questionable," he said.
"The police have completely ignored due process and it looks like they want to find me guilty in the court of public opinion."
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