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440 lbs of Cotton Seized at Airport
14 Aug
Summary
- Nearly 440 pounds of unprocessed cotton were seized by CBP.
- The cotton, containing seeds, arrived from Afghanistan at Dulles Airport.
- Unprocessed cotton poses risks for invasive insects and crop damage.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at Dulles International Airport recently intercepted approximately 440 pounds of unprocessed cotton. The large quantity of cotton, discovered in duffel bags within passenger luggage, originated from Afghanistan. Agriculture specialists are vital in preventing the introduction of harmful exotic species into the United States.
During a secondary examination, the family traveling with the luggage stated the cotton was purchased for personal use to make bedding. However, the unprocessed cotton contained seeds and lacked the necessary permits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and phytosanitary certificates. Raw cotton requires fumigation to eliminate potential threats.
This seizure highlights the critical role of CBP agriculture specialists in safeguarding U.S. agricultural resources and economic security. Raw cotton can carry invasive insects, such as the cotton seed bug and pink bollworm, which could devastate domestic crops and impact the textile industry. The family was allowed to leave, but their cotton cargo was confiscated.
