67 live giant African snails were seized by federal authorities at Los Angeles International Airport.
The collection of snails weighed over 35 pounds, was shipped from Nigeria and arrived in two plastic baskets. The paperwork included with the shipment stated that they were meant for human consumption.
Giant African snails can live as long as 10 years and grow up to eight inches long. The snails are considered a delicacy in Nigeria but are also known as a voracious pest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that these snails pose a serious threat to agriculture, the environment and public health. They can consume more than 500 types of plants and if fruits and vegetables are not available, they will eat the paint and stucco off homes. These snails can also carry several parasites harmful to humans, one of which can lead to meningitis.
Federal inspectors have in the past discovered one or two of these large snails hidden in luggage. But, this is the first time they have encountered such a large quantity and as a consumption entry. For our protection, the U.S.D.A. incinerated the entire snail collection.
