Posted on 12/10/2010 5:37:51 AM PST by La Lydia
Elephant tails, dried hedgehogs and chicken blood probably weren't on the top of your packing list the last time you traveled. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized all of that and other animal parts and plants from one suitcase at Washington Dulles International Airport. CBP spokesman Steve Sapp said Thursday that the items were taken on Dec. 3 from a 59-year-old man who was traveling from Ghana. The passenger said the items were used for spiritual purposes...The suitcase contained two elephant tails, bloody sheets, five chicken feathers, chicken blood, a dried hedgehog, two dried chameleons, grass, seed pods, tree bark chips and a jug filled with soil, herbs and blood, authorities said...
The passenger had declared to CBP only that he was carrying dried herbs and clothing.
Most of the items were incinerated, CBP officials said.
"Regardless of its intended purpose, each item posed potentially severe animal and plant disease threats to American agriculture," Hess said.
The elephant tails were not destroyed and were turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The tails violated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.
CBP said the passenger was told about the U.S. regulations. The main consequence he faces, Sapp said, are that he had to give up his suitcase and all of its contents.
He was also given a warning and is likely to have to undergo secondary inspections from CBP agriculture specialists on future trips to the United States, Sapp said...
I hear Wal-Mart is having a sale on dried hedgehog.
Time out! Violating the US Code is indeed a crime - try to violate an IRS regulation or a USDA regulation. The penalties can be stiff for US citizens.
Sorry, but what if he had tried to bring over raw milk? Penalties go way beyond confiscation and a bad mark on your permanent record. Ask any of the raw milk dairy farmers.
It looks like the DC TSA has "elected" not to bother with this case, since it might cause them to work.
Of course, if I was not a citizen I could plead ignorance of the law ...
Welcome to America 2010.
This kind of thing enriches the tapestry of our life, dontcha know?
Is there now a law against traveling while carrying blood and guts? How’s a descent guy supposed to lay a serious hex on anyone these days?
Violate the law — DO NOT PASS GO, DO NO ENTER OUR COUNTRY.
Carrion Luggage.
Oof. Good pun.
Heh. :)
You win! Carrion luggage is the best one yet.
You have to laugh at stupidity and insanity around you
Believe me, if I couldn’t, I would go insane.
It sounds like a joke to us, but yes.
DON’T Touch my Trunk!
That’s why all fun to travel places have educational camp tours.
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