90 giant live snails found in a bag at Michigan airport

Detroit, Michigan

The discovery was announced in a press release on Tuesday and underscores the continued vigilance needed to prevent invasive species from entering the country.

Giant African snails seized at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

The operation began when agricultural specialists noticed a “strange smell” coming from a passenger’s bag. This passenger had declared fresh food upon arrival and was subsequently subjected to a second inspection. While the passenger stated that he was carrying prohibited items such as cow hide and fresh peppers, the presence of the giant snails was not mentioned.

Upon closer inspection, CBP officers discovered the giant African snails, each measuring between 3 and 6 inches long. The slimy stowaways, believed to be intended for human consumption, were immediately confiscated. These snails, which can grow up to 8 inches long, are notorious for their ability to wreak havoc on ecosystems and human health.

What negative impacts could these snails have on America?

“These snails could negatively impact our economy,” Acting Port Director John Nowak said in the press release. The giant African snails are known to eat over 500 species of plants and can even damage buildings by eating gypsum and stucco to get calcium. In addition, they pose a significant health risk because they transmit the rat lungworm parasite, 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.