An unusual and potentially dangerous discovery was made at Detroit Metropolitan Airport late last month when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers confiscated ninety giant African snails from a passenger arriving from Ghana.

Detroit, Michigan

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The discovery, announced in a news release Tuesday, highlights the ongoing vigilance required to prevent invasive species from entering the country.

Giant African Snails Confiscated at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

The operation began when agriculture specialists detected an “odd odor” emanating from a passenger’s bag. This passenger had declared fresh food items upon arrival and was subsequently subjected to a secondary inspection. While the passenger disclosed carrying prohibited items such as beef skin and fresh peppers, the presence of the giant snails was not mentioned.

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Upon further inspection, CBP officers discovered the giant African snails, each ranging from 3 to 6 inches in length. The slimy stowaways, believed to be intended for consumption, were seized immediately. These snails, which can grow up to 8 inches, are notorious for their potential to wreak havoc on ecosystems and human health.

How Could These Snails Neitivly Impact America?

“These snails could negatively impact our economy,” stated Acting Port Director John Nowak in the release. The giant African snails are known to consume over 500 types of plants and can even damage buildings by eating plaster and stucco to obtain calcium. Furthermore, they pose a significant health risk as carriers of the parasite rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis in humans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The moral of the story is, don't bring giant snails into the United States.

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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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