Beagle finds destructive giant snail in luggage at Atlanta’s airport, officials say

ATLANTA — A giant snail was found by “Mox,” a Beagle and Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

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In a tweet, CBP said Mox, a member of the Beagle Brigade, found the Giant African Snail in the luggage of a traveler who came in on a flight from Nigeria.

In addition to the snail, Mox found goat meat, cow skins, melon seeds, and vegetables, all which are not allowed on an aircraft traveling into the country.

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“The amazing Beagle Brigade is a valuable team member of CBP’s agriculture mission protecting our nation from highly invasive pests such as the Giant African Snail,” said Clay Thomas, Area Port Director for Customs and Border Protection Atlanta.

The snail was secured and the traveler was made aware about bringing banned items into the country before continuing her journey to Texas.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Giant African Snails is one of the most damaging snails in the world due to the fact that it consumes at least 500 types of plants. The USDA says it threatens U.S. agricultural resources and causes damage to tropical and subtropical environments.

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