US Customs officials seized monkey carcasses and 57 kilograms of illegal meat in two separate cases at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport earlier this month.
In a statement from the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), the issues arose on April 11.
In the second case, a passenger who came from Cameroon was sent for a closer inspection after questions arose during an inspection of his luggage. During the search, a carcass of a monkey was found in the passenger’s suitcase. It was destroyed due to the possible risk of infection, according to the instructions of the relevant institutions.
In the other case, a passenger from Liberia tried to smuggle illegal meat into the United States by hiding it inside dried seafood. Customs officers found meat, bones and hair in eight boxes in his luggage. The passenger said it was beef.
Can carry infectious diseases
CBP says that seafood is generally allowed, but that the importation of meat from certain parts of the world may be prohibited due to the risk of infectious diseases in animals.
Travelers must report meat, fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and other animal and plant products upon arrival in the country. Those who do not report such goods risk having them confiscated and fined.
