Customs intercepts live Giant African Snails at Detroit Metro Airport.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized six giant African snails at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from a citizen of Ghana. Giant African snails are prohibited in the country as they may harbor parasites dangerous to humans and have a voracious appetite for hundreds of types of native plants. The snails were intended for consumption by the traveler and have since been confiscated for further analysis. Despite being a strong source of protein, snails could still carry diseases and should be cleaned and cooked properly before consumption.