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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Boston Logan Airport recently made a bizarre discovery after intercepting a traveler attempting to illegally import four deceased and dehydrated monkeys into the United States.
The incident, which occurred last month but was made public recently, has raised concerns over the potential health risks associated with the illegal importation of bushmeat.
The passenger, returning from a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, initially reported that the luggage contained dried fish.
However, upon inspection by CBP agents, the true contents of the luggage were revealed. Ryan Bissette, a spokesperson for CBP, stated that “the luggage actually contained dead and dehydrated bodies of four monkeys.”
Raw or minimally processed meat from wild animals, commonly referred to as “bushmeat,” is prohibited from entry into the United States due to the threat of disease transmission.
“The potential dangers posed by bringing bushmeat into the United States are real,” said Julio Caravia, local port director for Customs and Border Protection. “Bushmeat can carry germs that can cause illness, including the Ebola virus.”
The interception of the mummified monkeys was made possible by the diligent work of CBP Canine (K9) units, according to officials.
Buddey, a CBP K-9, reportedly alerted his handler to the specific piece of luggage during a preliminary screening of baggage from Delta Flight 225 from Paris.
Despite the passenger’s declaration that the bag contained only dried fish, further inspection revealed the illicit contents.
Upon discovering the bushmeat, CBP immediately contacted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has regulatory authority over primate material.
The CDC requested that the luggage be seized and either destroyed or returned to France by Delta Airlines. The four kilograms of bushmeat were detained for CDC inspection and marked for destruction.
Julio Caravia praised the efforts of CBP’s K-9 unit and agricultural specialists, stating that their work was vital in preventing the potential danger from entering the U.S.
According to Caravia, CBP agriculture specialists undergo extensive training and possess experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection.
CBP specialists also play a crucial role in examining international trade shipments and traveler baggage to prevent the spread of invasive insects, federal noxious weeds and plant and animal diseases that could harm national agricultural resources, the director stated.
As of now, no charges have been filed against the traveler, but all of the luggage containing the bushmeat has been seized by CBP.
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