During a busy Labor Day weekend at Washington Dulles International Airport, one package arriving from Ghana raised some eyebrows.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents say a traveler arriving from the West African nation tried to bring in 14 Giant African Land Snails with him. Each of the slimy creatures was about the size of a child's fist.
The snails, originally from East Africa, are believed to be one of the world's worst invasive species because they can severely damage crops.
The snails can grow to be nearly 8 inches long and 4 inches tall. They are illegal in the United States. Agriculture officials believe they may have been brought to the U.S. to be eaten.
The traveler was not penalized, but the snails were destroyed because they were considered a threat.
During a busy Labor Day weekend at Washington Dulles International Airport, one package arriving from Ghana raised some eyebrows.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents say a traveler arriving from the West African nation tried to bring in 14 Giant African Land Snails with him. Each of the slimy creatures was about the size of a child's fist.
The snails, originally from East Africa, are believed to be one of the world's worst invasive species because they can severely damage crops.
The snails can grow to be nearly 8 inches long and 4 inches tall. They are illegal in the United States. Agriculture officials believe they may have been brought to the U.S. to be eaten.
The traveler was not penalized, but the snails were destroyed because they were considered a threat.