A Maryland man was stopped at Dulles International Airport on April 5 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection uncovered charred bat meat inside his luggage.
The man had returned to the United States from Ghana, and at least 3 pounds and 8 ounces of bat meat were found in his belongings, according to a report.
“Bat is considered bushmeat and is a routine protein staple in Africa,” a release from the CBP read.
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“However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bushmeat is illegal to import to the United States, and bats are known vector species for zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola,” the statement said.
The meat was seized by Border Patrol officials and delivered to the CDC, the report noted.
Charred bat meat found inside Maryland man’s luggage at Dulles Airport https://t.co/XASLat6hOt
— Jonathan Elias (@Elias7News) April 14, 2022
At least 12 pounds of tetrapleura, eggplant, and turkey berries were also found in the man’s possession, officials said.
All the fruit was seized and destroyed due to its prohibited nature, according to the report.
SEE IT | Customs found charred bat meat in the bag of a Maryland man at Dulles Airport last week. https://t.co/e2GLirqI6I pic.twitter.com/RWBY5FUlJs
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) April 14, 2022
“Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists play a very challenging frontline role in protecting the public, our nation’s agricultural industries, and our economic vitality every day against the deliberate or accidental introduction of potentially crippling animal diseases that may be carried in passenger baggage,” Daniel Escobedo, CBP’s area port director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., said.
“CBP strongly encourages all international travelers to know what they can and cannot pack in their baggage before visiting the United States.”
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The man was released following the incident.
