ROMULUS (WWJ) — It's not uncommon for airport security to make strange discoveries in passengers' luggage, but this one is pretty out of the ordinary.
Late last month U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 90 Giant African Land Snails at Detroit Metro Airport.
The "cache of live snails" was found on June 30 when a passenger arriving from Ghana was referred for a secondary examination after declaring various fresh food items.
As authorities were inspecting the baggage, agriculture specialists found a tied, woven bag with "an odd odor." Inside the bag were Giant African Land Snails ranging from 3 to 6 inches in length.
CBP officials say prior to the luggage being opened, the passenger "began declaring other prohibited items, such as beef skin and fresh peppers," but there was no mention of the snails, which are considered an invasive species in the U.S.
The snails were subsequently seized.
This isn't the first time these African snails have been found at DTW. Officials seized six giant snails in March of 2023.
"These snails are an invasive species that could negatively impact our economy," said Acting Port Director John Nowak. "Our agriculture specialists are always keeping a watchful eye out for harmful plants, animals and insects."
While officials say these Giant African Land Snails were intended for consumption, they "have a voracious appetite and cause major crop damage when they escape into the environment."
They can also pose a public health threat to humans. The snails can grow up to 8 inches and feed on a wide variety of plants, including many economically important crop plants, and cause structural damage by using stucco on houses to meet their calcium requirement for shell growth.
The CBP says giant African snails can carry a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans and due to an appetite that includes at least 500 different types of plants, along with plaster and stucco, they can cause significant damage to structures and ecosystems.
Travelers are encouraged to learn more about current regulations before attempting to bring food items into the United States to avoid penalties, seizures, and even arrest.
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