A peculiar find of covert snacks was recently unearthed at Los Angeles International Airport, sparking intrigue among collectors. Sources estimate the concealed contraband to be valued at approximately $1,500, as confirmed by the agency in charge. “Though they may appear innocuous at first glance, these surreptitiously smuggled beetles present a grave threat to our crucial agricultural assets,” remarked Cheryl M. Davies, the Director of Field Operations for the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Los Angeles.
Davies emphasized the potential danger posed by these beetles, mentioning their capacity to wreak havoc on plant life, foliage, and root systems, as well as their propensity to lay eggs on tree bark, thereby compromising forest health. While exotic insects are coveted by enthusiasts and collectors alike, authorities caution against the illicit trade of such specimens within the US via clandestine channels.
Valued at $1,480, the intercepted beetles were promptly handed over to officials from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for further evaluation and disposition. It is anticipated that the insects will be allocated to a suitable recipient, such as a zoo equipped with the requisite permits for housing such creatures, or a local insectarium.
In accordance with CBP guidelines, the importation of live organisms into the US necessitates the procurement of a USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine permit, or an official authorization from the PPQ Plants, Pathogens, and Biocontrol unit. Andrew H. Douglas, the Port Director of CBP at LAX, commended the agency’s agriculture specialists for their vigilant efforts in safeguarding the nation against invasive pests and plant diseases, underscoring the crucial role they play in intercepting potential threats before they cross the border.
