Snails on Plane? Slimy Seizure at Michigan Airport Nets 90 Specimens

Detroit Airport Seizes 90 Giant African Snails

In the annals of odd contraband, this one takes the cake--or, should I say, the snail. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) recently intercepted luggage stuffed with 90 Giant African Snails.

READ MORE: Illegal Pets Are a Deadly Threat to Michigan's Agriculture

According to ABC News, on June 30, a passenger arriving in Michigan from Ghana thought bringing a woven bag with a foul odor through customs wasn't a red flag. It was. They were sent to a secondary station for further inspection, where they were given another chance to claim snails—they didn't. Once officials opened the smelly sack, they found the oversized mollusks, ranging from 3 to 6 inches.

Why African Giant Snails are a Dangerous Invasive Species in Michigan

Giant African Snails are considered an invasive species in the Mitten State. You might be thinking, "Why the big fuss? They're just snails!" Well, these aren't your average, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety snails. According to CNET, giant African Snails are the Hulk of the snail world, with a voracious appetite that can decimate crops and even gnaw on your stucco walls if they're feeling low on calcium.

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Having lived in an area with a former neighbor who had illegally raised this invasive species and unwittingly let some loose, I can tell you that Giant African Snails are a formidable foe for a small garden plot, let alone the impact they could have on Michigan's cash crops.

The Real Risks and Horror of 'Snail Meningitis'

Aside from their desire to devour Michigan's native plant species and walls, the African Giant Snail poses a serious public health risk. They carry parasites that can cause meningitis in humans, so there's that. Imagine explaining to your doctor that you got a brain infection while smuggling a sack of snails.

Related: Michigan DNR Invasive Species Watchlist: Northern Snakehead

A big high-five to the Detroit CBP agents on their A-game. As for the snails, they were seized and "humanly euthanized."