CBP intercepts strange cement statues in Memphis
On 8 October 2022, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists in Memphis, Tennessee seized two bird carcasses and palm seeds encased in cement statues.
The shipment from Mexico City was en route to Odessa, Texas and vaguely manifested as a gift to a cousin “with crafts.” The 10 kg shipment was examined via x-ray and contained three cement statues, each concealing organic material.
Upon breaking open the statues, two rotted bird carcasses and 0.6 km of suspected Elaeis Guineensis seeds were discovered encased inside.
The bird carcasses present a significant risk of introducing diseases such as Avian influenza to US poultry populations, and the seeds, without proper documentation, present a risk of introducing diseases or invasive species. The birds and seeds were destroyed by steam sterilisation. (cj)