Turkish police said Sunday that an American man was arrested smuggling 1,500 scorpions and spiders out of the country.

Seized at Istanbul Airport, the suspect is said to be a curator for a leading American natural history museum.

Officials stated that the man was arrested for smuggling species endemic to the country and its antivenom making capabilities.

"It is understood that these medicines have very high financial values and therefore taking these animal species abroad is strictly forbidden," said Istanbul police.

According to Turkish officials, one liter of scorpion venom can sell for up to $10 million.

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