HOUSTON – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist working at Bush Intercontinental Airport discovered sea turtle eggs inside a traveler’s luggage December 11.
An international traveler arriving from El Salvador was attempting to import 25 sea turtle eggs. But because all species of sea turtles are endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits their importation.
"Our agriculture specialists have degrees in agriculture, biology, entomology and other scientific specialties," said Houston CBP Acting Director of Field Operations, Judson W. Murdock II. "They take every opportunity to protect our nation’s agriculture and to enforce hundreds of U.S. laws on behalf of several different agencies including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
The endangered sea turtle eggs were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The eggs will be sent to South Padre Island, where they will undergo DNA analysis.
