US Customs and Border Protection officials reportedly seized ninety (90) giant African snails from a passenger travelling from Ghana at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport last month.

According to a report by Asaaseradio.com, agriculture specialists at the airport were tipped off by an odd odour emanating from the passenger’s bag, resulting in a secondary investigation after the traveller had declared fresh food items.

The passenger is said to have declared other prohibited items, including beef skin and fresh peppers, but failed to declare the giant snails.

Customs agents seized the snails, which ranged from three to six inches long, believing they were meant for consumption.
While giant African snails are considered a delicacy in most West African countries, the slimy gastropods, which can grow up to 8 inches, are considered invasive in the US and other Western countries.

According to a previous CNN report, snails eat at least 500 different types of plants and can even eat plaster and stucco from houses as a source of calcium.

The US Department of Agriculture has said that giant African snails can pose serious health risks to humans, as they are known to carry the parasite rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis.

In 2023, live giant African snails were found in the suitcase of a traveller who had also arrived from Ghana at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.