Dead monkey, 125 pounds of African beef found in luggage at O’Hare: CBP
Two Unusual Discoveries Made at O’Hare’s Customs Checkpoint
It seems that there is never a dull moment at O’Hare International Airport’s customs checkpoint. Recently, two unusual discoveries were made that shocked officials and travelers alike.
On April 11, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists uncovered two prohibited shipments during back-to-back secondary inspections of international arrivals. The first shocking find was a dead monkey concealed in a suitcase that belonged to a traveler from Cameroon. The X-ray of the luggage revealed an anomaly, prompting agents to conduct a hand search which led to the discovery of the monkey carcass. Due to serious human health concerns, the monkey was immediately seized and destroyed.
In a separate incident on the same day, a traveler from Liberia attempted to hide 125 pounds of African beef within dried seafood. Upon inspecting eight boxes of dried seafood in the traveler’s baggage, agents found meat, bones, and hair mixed in with the fish. The traveler admitted that the hidden material was beef, which is prohibited in the United States due to the risk of diseases such as mad cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease. In addition to the beef, agents also seized one pound of fresh leaves and four types of seeds intended for planting.
While no charges have been announced yet in connection with these incidents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations regarding the importation of certain products to prevent the spread of diseases that could harm both humans and animals.
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