6 Live Giant African Snails Found In Suitcase At Detroit Metro Airport

ROMULUS, MI — Officials recently seized six live Giant African Snails from a traveler who arrived at Detroit Metro Airport from Ghana.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists at the Detroit Metro Airport found the snails inside the traveler's suitcase, officials said.

Although the snails are intended to be eaten, they pose significant health risks to humans and the environment, officials said. They are also considered an invasive species.

Officials seized the snails for further analysis.

"Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to target, detect and intercept potential threats before they have a chance to do harm to U.S. interests," Port Director Robert Larkin said. "The discovery of this highly invasive pest truly benefits the health and well-being of the American people."

Giant African Snails can carry a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans. They eat at least 500 different types of plants, plus plaster and stucco, which means they can cause significant damage to structures and ecosystems.

Although people like to eat Giant African Snails and keep them as pets in other countries, the snails are prohibited in the United States.