PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A package containing 60 dead butterflies and moths was netted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel at Philadelphia International Airport earlier this month.
The illegal parcel, which was being sent from Portugal to an address in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, did not contain import certifications, invoices, scientific species names, or a purpose for the shipment.
Importers must be licensed and declare wildlife, including dead specimens, to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Officials say this was not done and that the contents were fraudulently described as “pieces of silk to be used in works.”
Inspectors with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating.