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115 live scorpions destined for the US seized in France

The scorpions were of the protected Pandinus dictator species. (AP) Expand

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The scorpions were of the protected Pandinus dictator species. (AP)

The scorpions were of the protected Pandinus dictator species. (AP)

The scorpions were of the protected Pandinus dictator species. (AP)

Customs agents at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport have seized 115 live scorpions hidden in two shipments from Cameroon to the US.

Customs officers showed off the large, black scorpions of the Pandinus dictator variety - a protected species - on Thursday.

The first batch of 69 scorpions was discovered on September 18 in 19 plastic boxes containing centipedes. Days later, customs agents intercepted 46 scorpions found in 35 plastic cups. Both were declared as samples for medical research.

However, the recipient was identified as an individual in the United States who sells numerous "new animal companions" on the internet.

Last year, French customs seized 1,392 live animals protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

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