PHOTOS: Unusual items seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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Counterfeit U.S. Forever Stamps During an operation at a local sorting facility, CBP officers selected two packages for inspection based on specific criteria. Upon inspection, the packages’ contents looked authentic but further examination revealed the stamps inside were deemed counterfeit and in violation of multiple Intellectual Property Right (IPR) laws. (Courtesy US Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Not many people can stop Superman, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Norfolk, Va., did just that after realizing that the man of steel and several of his superhero peers were impostors. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly $300,000 in counterfeit water bottles, coffee mugs and squeeze balls on August 29, 2022, that were adorned with unauthorized likenesses of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America. The unauthorized use of superhero artwork violated trademark protections. Those impostors, counterfeit likenesses of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America, graced the face of 34,363 water bottles, coffee mugs and squeeze balls. CBP officers seized them for violating trademark protection laws. The shipment was appraised at $297,588 MSRP, had they been authentic. CBP officers initially inspected one container on August 3 and a second container on August 5. The shipment consisted of a combined 436 boxes that were destined to an address in Cook County, Illinois, north of Chicago. CBP officers suspected the superhero likenesses to be counterfeit and submitted photos and documentation to CBP import specialists at the agency’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers of Excellence and Expertise, for a validity determination and appraisal. On August 24, CBP’s trade experts confirmed that the superhero markings violated trademark protection laws. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection On Wednesday, August 17, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of Memphis, TN intercepted an ancient Egyptian artifact shipped from Europe. The shipment was manifested as an antique stone sculpture over 100 years old, and sent from a dealer to a private buyer in the U.S. CBP worked with subject matter experts at the University of Memphis Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology to determine that the artifact was authentic. It is an Egyptian canopic jar lid of the funeral deity named Imsety. Canopic jars were used to hold the internal organs of mummies and Imsety specifically protected the deceased’s liver. The lid is likely from the Egyptian Third Intermediate Period, 1069 BC to 653 BC, making it potentially 3,000 years old. The artifact is on a list of items protected by bilateral treaties and falls under the CPIA 19 USC 2609; designated archaeological materials of cultural property imported into the U.S. subject to seizure and forfeiture. CPIA is the congressionally passed Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act of 1983, and restricts importing some archaeological and ethnological materials into the country. The shipper also made contradictory statements regarding the declared value of the item, and CBP seized it. It was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further examination and to determine it’s provenance. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Eagle Pass Port of Entry recently encountered Halloween decorations that were not what they seemed; pumpkins filled with $402,196 in liquid methamphetamine. On Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, CBP officers assigned to Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge encountered a 2012 Ford Escape arriving from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection. After conducting a thorough secondary examination, officers seized a total of nearly 44 pounds (19.84 kg) of alleged liquid methamphetamine concealed within 136 condoms inside four pumpkins within the vehicle. CBP OFO seized the narcotics, vehicle and turned the driver and passenger over to the custody of Maverick County Sheriff’s Office deputies for further investigation. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection On Tuesday August 2, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists at the Louis Armstrong International Airport discovered a human umbilical cord in a passenger’s baggage. The passenger arrived on Spirit flight 1439 from Honduras and was referred for a secondary inspection. While inspecting their baggage, CBP Agriculture Specialists discovered a human umbilical cord. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Houston was contacted and stated that the umbilical cord and a medical wrist band that was commingled with it could be abandoned or detained. The passenger claimed it belonged to a relative and chose to abandon the items, which were then incinerated. umbilical cord in plastic bag However, this was not the first time such an unusual item was found. On June 28, a passenger on the same recurring flight from Honduras was referred to secondary inspection. X-rays revealed an item packed in the middle of t-shirts sealed in cellophane. Further examination of the t-shirts revealed a small pouch containing clothing, paperwork, a positive pregnancy test, and an unknown tissue sample. The passenger was questioned about the items and initially was unsure what they were, before ultimately declaring them as a human umbilical cord and positive pregnancy test belonging to a relative. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection A slow and slimy Giant African Snail was intercepted by an alert Beagle and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On November 8, “Mox” a member of CBP’s “Beagle Brigade” alerted to a traveler's luggage after arriving on a flight from Nigeria. During further inspection, a CBP Agriculture Specialist found a live Giant African Snail inside a suitcase. In addition, prohibited goat meat, cow skins, melon seeds, and vegetables that “Mox” alerted to were found. The highly invasive Giant African Snail also poses a serious health risk to humans because it carries a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis. The Giant African Snail intercepted by CBP Atlanta and agriculture was secured. The traveler, a US Citizen, was informed about bringing prohibited items into the country before continuing her journey to Texas. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than a sweet tooth as U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered. On October 6, Mr. Eusebio Jimenez Manjarrez, a Mexican citizen, arrived on a flight from Mexico City, Mexico and presented himself to CBP officers for inspection. During the examination of his baggage, CBP officers removed a bag of candy and found an object wrapped in tape. Mr. Manjarrez was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers probed the object wrapped in tape revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. Mr. Manjarrez was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to New York Police Department. The total weight of cocaine found in the four bags of candy seized was approximately 6 lbs. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists assigned to the Paso Del Norte and Ysleta border crossings seized 243 pounds of prohibited pork bologna on two separate unrelated incidents. The first discovery was made on Jan. 13, at the Paso Del Norte border crossing when a 40-year-old U.S. citizen resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, presented himself for inspection via vehicle. After obtaining a negative declaration for fruits, vegetables, and meat products, the driver was referred for a secondary agriculture inspection. During the secondary inspection, CBP Agriculture Specialists discovered five rolls of Mexican bologna hidden under bags of chips, the trunk compartment and under the seats of the SUV. A total of 55 pounds of bologna were discovered. The driver informed CBP Agriculture Specialists that he resells the bologna in the U.S. for almost double the price he pays for them in Mexico. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Agents conducted a bi-national operation with Government of Mexico law enforcement elements along the shared border region near Otay Mountain in California. While patrolling the area, agents using handheld drone technology observed a group of suspected undocumented migrants and armed smugglers near the international boundary. As the bi-national team responded to the location from both sides of the border, the group saw the agents and absconded deeper into Mexico. The group was able to get away, but left behind several items. Agents secured the abandoned items which included: a loaded rifle magazine, 75 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, and 29 makeshift ladders used to scale the border wall. All the seized items were transported to the Joint California Forensic Center for processing. Information gleaned from the forensic process will be shared with the GoM law enforcement partners. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U. S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists and officers discovered a special surprise inside containers of candy carried by a passenger arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport. On April 18, CBP agriculture specialists were performing an x-ray examination of luggage from a citizen of Mexico, who had arrived on a flight from Mexico City, Mexico. CBP agriculture specialists performing the x-ray examination noticed an anomaly on the x-ray of rectangular shaped objects, and discovered that a package was concealed within the containers of candy. In total, CBP discovered eight bricks of cocaine weighing approximately 10 lbs. with an estimated street value of $175,000. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Calexico East port of entry commercial facility intercepted a “First-in-Nation” pest, a minute insect commonly known as a “leafhopper.” The incident occurred on July 26, when a shipment of celery and fresh peppers arrived at the Calexico East Cargo Facility. CBP officers referred the shipment for further agricultural inspection. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection On May 2, 2022, CBP agriculture specialists at the Pharr cargo facility conducted an inspection on a commercial shipment of fresh fruit arriving from Mexico, which resulted in the discovery of a live pest within boxes of mangosteen. The insect was submitted for identification to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomology laboratory and the initial identification was later confirmed as Cochabamba sp. The Cochabamba sp. is a species that belongs to what is called the leaf beetle family. This pest can cause agricultural and economic damage as their larvae skeletonize the leaf surface and adults eat plant and tree leaves and cause damage to foliage. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agriculture specialists at Laredo Port of Entry in a single enforcement action seized over 120 pounds of prohibited fresh pork and poultry meat. The interception occurred on Tuesday, March 15 when a white minivan arrived at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge and the driver was referred for a secondary examination. A negative declaration for fruits, meats, vegetables, plants or any prohibited ag product was received. During the examination, CBP officers and agriculture specialists discovered packages containing a total of 117 pounds of fresh pork and nearly seven pounds of fresh poultry hidden within the vehicle. Agriculture specialists issued the driver a $1,000 penalty for attempting to import and failing to declare the prohibited agriculture products. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialist found an unwanted pest inside the passenger cabin of an aircraft arriving from Senegal to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service formally identified the insect by its scientific name Ammocleonus sp., which is commonly known as true weevils or snout beetles. This incident is a first-time national interception of this species. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered counterfeit driver’s licenses inside an inbound package at Louisville’s Port of Entry on October 12. During a routine examination of packages, officers inspected a package that was manifested as trousers. Inside officers found a total of 1,094 U.S. driver’s license identification cards, 5 Australian driver’s license identification cards, 2 Canadian driver’s license identification cards, and 2 United Kingdom driver’s license identification cards. Counterfeit documents are fake documents that have the appearance of legal documentation but are not issued by a legitimate organization or government agency and are not recognized in the United States as official travel or identification instruments. Counterfeit documents, such as these driver’s licenses, can be used as a means for college students who have not yet turned the age of 21, to enter a bar or business that sells and serves alcohol. Unfortunately, these students put themselves at great risk when purchasing these fake documents. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a rare “First in Nation” pest in Spanish moss used to decorate a Christmas nativity stable. The interception occurred on Dec. 3, 2021, at the Gateway International Bridge when a vehicle was referred to secondary for agriculture inspection of a nativity stable decorated with Spanish moss. During the examination of the Spanish moss, CBP agriculture specialists intercepted a stink bug which was submitted for identification to a local U.S. Department of Agriculture area entomologist. On Feb. 28, 2022, the initial pest identification was confirmed as Pharypia nitidiventris (Stal) (Pentatomidae), a First-in-Nation interception, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Washington D.C. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Roma Port of Entry intercepted a “First in Nation” pest, a beetle found within maguey leaves. The interception occurred on July 18, 2022, at the Roma International Bridge during an examination of a tractor trailer hauling fresh vegetables. During an examination of maguey leaves, CBP agriculture specialists intercepted a beetle which was submitted for identification to a local U.S. Department of Agriculture area entomologist. On July 20, 2022, the initial pest identification was confirmed as Acanthoderes funeraria Bates (Cerambycidae), a First-in-Nation interception, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The shipment was refused entry and returned to Mexico. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 10 pounds of marijuana in a Nigeria-bound passenger’s checked baggage at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday. CBP officers discovered the marijuana, which consisted of 10 vacuum-sealed packages concealed inside clothing in a traveler’s suitcase, while examining baggage of travelers boarding a flight to Lagos, Nigeria. The marijuana weighed a combined 4.7 kilograms, or about 10 pounds and six ounces. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 10 pounds of marijuana in a Nigeria-bound passenger’s checked baggage at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday. CBP officers discovered the marijuana, which consisted of 10 vacuum-sealed packages concealed inside clothing in a traveler’s suitcase, while examining baggage of travelers boarding a flight to Lagos, Nigeria. The marijuana weighed a combined 4.7 kilograms, or about 10 pounds and six ounces. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va., seized more than $130,000 in counterfeit consumer goods recently, including infant loungers and children’s clothing and backpacks featuring Disney characters. CBP officers inspected two shipments that arrived from Istanbul, Turkey, on September 21. One shipment consisted of 2,562 items destined to an address near Wilmington, Delaware, and the second consisted of 654 items destined to an address near Baltimore. CBP officers suspected that the consumer goods were counterfeit and detained them to verify authenticity. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

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