This photo provided by United States Customs and Border Protection shows two Giant African Snails that were seized at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Image: U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP
Two dogs, part of the United States Customs and Border Protection鈥檚 鈥渂eagle brigade,鈥� sniffed out two giant African snails in the luggage of a passenger arriving at Atlanta鈥檚 airport from Nigeria.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the beagles, named Candie and Chipper, were alerted to the passenger鈥檚 checked bags at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday, June 28. A Customs agriculture specialist found the snails in a suitcase, along with prohibited fruits and vegetables.
The snails were turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while the food was destroyed. The USDA鈥檚 website said such snails are illegally imported for classroom exhibits as pets or for food. They are also described as 鈥渙ne of the most damaging鈥� in the world because they consume at least 500 types of plants, reproduce quickly, and can cause meningitis. HM/JB
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