Customs officials, in a display of vigilance, intercepted ninety giant African snails at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, marking the second such incident in recent years, according to a statement released Tuesday by US Customs and Border Protection.
The snails, ranging from three to six inches in length, were discovered late last month after agriculture specialists detected an unusual odour emanating from a passenger’s luggage. The passenger, arriving from Ghana, initially declared fresh food items but omitted the snails from their declaration.
Acting on suspicion, officials conducted a secondary inspection. They uncovered the giant snails and prohibited items such as beef skin and fresh peppers. The snails, believed to be destined for consumption, were promptly seized.
“These invasive snails pose a significant threat to our economy,” stated acting Port Director John Nowak, emphasizing their potential to consume over 500 types of plants and even damage buildings by consuming plaster and stucco.
Moreover, the snails can carry the parasitic rat lungworm, which poses serious health risks to humans, including meningitis, as the US Department of Agriculture warned.
This incident mirrors a similar event in 2023 when live giant African snails were intercepted at the same airport from another traveler arriving from Ghana. In that case, the snails were also found in a passenger’s luggage and were promptly seized by customs officials.
Authorities continue to remind travellers of the strict regulations regarding importing agricultural products and animals. Failure to adhere to these regulations can lead to the introduction of invasive species, like the giant African snails, which can have devastating effects on our agriculture and public health and safety.
