Unsolicited Mystery Seeds From China Investigated By Police

PALOS PARK, IL — Police are following up on several reports of unsolicited seeds reportedly from China arriving in Palos Park residents’ mailboxes on Thursday. The mysterious seeds began showing up in the United States a few months ago. Residents never ordered the seeds, police said.

Fourteen varieties of seeds, including varieties of seeds, including mustard, cabbage, morning glory, mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, hibiscus, and rose were among the varieties identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Officials have also identified noxious weeds and bug larvae in the packages. In some instances, other objects besides seeds were found, such as forks and spoons, authorities said.

Like the other seed packages that arrived in the United States, labeling on the ones that showed up in Palos Park were identified as jewelry. The envelopes that arrived were 7-inches wide. The return address on the packages read:

HH
North side pf the west gate
Of South China Avenue
Longgag District
Shenzhen

Thousands of citizens throughout the country have contacted the USDA regarding the unsolicited seeds. China officials have denied that the seeds came from their country, who claim the China Post shipping labels found on the packet have been forged.

Since most of the seeds appear to be coming from China, the USDA is working with officials in China including the Chinese postal service to help identify the senders of these unsolicited packets, said Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department.

USDA officials claim to know the names of the companies allegedly shipping out the seeds “but we don’t know the background information about these companies and that’s why we’re working with our counterparts in China to follow up on some of these senders.”

Because the seeds appear to be coming from China, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are working with the USDA to “to intercept any future packages being shipped to the United States. The seeds have also been shipped to other countries. Recently, Newsweek reported Americans receiving unsolicited face masks purportedly from Chins

Recipients are urged not to plant the seeds or open the packages because some might be invasive species or carry seed-borne viruses or other diseases. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Inspection Services agency is taking reports online. Illinois residents are asked to send the unopened seed packages for collection and testing to:

USDA APHIS PPQ
2300 East Devon Avenue, Ste. 210
Des Plaines, IL 60018