Authorities in the United States have seized an African giant snail from a Nigerian traveller.
The incident took place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the State of Georgia.
Yahoo News reported that it was a dog called Mox – a beagle – and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists that found the snail.
In a tweet, CBP said the traveller in whose luggage the snail was found came in on a flight from Nigeria.
In addition to the snail, Mox also found goat meat, cow skins, melon seeds and vegetables in the traveller’s luggage.
These items are banned on all US-bound flights.
Clay Thomas – the Area Port Director for Customs and Border Protection, Atlanta – described the snail as one of America’s invasive pests.
“The amazing Beagle Brigade is a valuable team member of CBP’s agriculture mission protecting our nation from highly invasive pests such as the giant African snail,” said Thomas.
The snail was secured and the traveller orientated about brining banned items into the country before being allowed to continue her journey to Texas.
The giant African snail, according to the US Department of Agriculture, is one of the world’s most destructive pests because it feeds on at least 500 American plant species.
The USDA said it threatens US agricultural resources and causes damage to tropical and subtropical environments.
