Passenger Tries To Smuggle 15 Live Giant Snails Into Houston Airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered and seized 15 live Giant Land Snails inside a passenger’s carry-on bag at George Bush Intercontinental Airport back in July.

The passenger was coming back from Nigeria and failed to declare the live creatures when he arrived. An agricultural specialist inspected his bag only to find the 15 live snails inside three plastic backs.

These huge shelled gastropods are a common dish in Nigeria, people usually fry them or cook “delicious” stews with them. The U.S. has the classified as an invasive species due to its potential harm to local ecosystems.

So, the snails are probably being sent back to where they came from if they’re lucky. Perhaps the passenger will think twice next time he tries to smuggle live animals into the country.