ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — 6 huge African land snails have been located in the baggage of a traveler who flew to Michigan from the west African region of Ghana.
The mollusks, which can carry diseases that have an effect on humans, were being identified and seized March 9 for the duration of an agriculture inspection at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, U.S. Customs and Border Defense mentioned Friday.
The guy transporting the snails is a resident of Ghana and mentioned they had been to be eaten. He was unveiled without further actions.
“It is not uncommon for travelers to convey food merchandise from their indigenous nations around the world, which underscores the worth of the inspection process on arrival to U.S. ports of entry,” Customs and Border Security spokesman Steven Bansbach stated. “This lets CBP officers and agriculture specialists the prospect to figure out no matter if these items are permissible or not, while mitigating the opportunity for public health or environmental challenges.”
Big African land snails are prohibited in Michigan and the relaxation of the United States. They try to eat at minimum 500 various kinds of crops, alongside with plaster and stucco on buildings.
They improve as very long as 8 inches (20 centimeters) and have a parasite termed the rat lungworm that can cause meningitis in people. They also can produce up to 1,200 eggs a year.
“Our CBP officers and agriculture experts function diligently to concentrate on, detect, and intercept probable threats prior to they have a probability to do hurt to U.S. pursuits,” Port Director Robert Larkin explained.
The Fort News