O’Hare’s customs checkpoint encountered unusual finds on April 11: a deceased monkey stowed in a suitcase and 125 pounds of African beef packed within dried seafood.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered these prohibited items during two consecutive secondary inspections of international arrivals, as reported by the agency on Wednesday.
The first incident arose when an X-ray of luggage from a traveler arriving from Cameroon showed an “anomaly,” prompting officials to conduct a hand search. This revealed a monkey carcass, which was promptly confiscated and destroyed due to “significant human health concerns,” according to the agency.
The second incident involved a traveler from Liberia, who attempted to hide banned meat within dried seafood. CBP agents examined eight boxes of seafood, typically allowed, and uncovered meat, bones, and hair intertwined with the fish. The traveler admitted the concealed material was beef, as noted by CBP.
The agency explained that ruminant meat from specific regions is prohibited in the U.S. due to risks of diseases like Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease. Agents confiscated 125 pounds of the illicit beef, along with one pound of fresh leaves and four varieties of seeds intended for planting.
No charges were announced immediately related to these incidents, and the travelers’ identities were not disclosed by CBP.
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