The arachnids were found at Cologne Bonn airport after customs officials were tipped off by a "noticeable smell" that did not match the expected aroma of the alleged treats.

Customs officials have released photos from a seizure of roughly 1,500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers that had been hidden in spongecake boxes shipped to an airport in Germany.

COLOGNE: German customs authorities have found some 1,500 tarantulas concealed within biscuit packaging at Cologne/Bonn Airport during a seizure that took place about three weeks ago.