Cincinnati CBP Finds Praying Mantis Eggs Smuggled In Toy Figures

The shipment came through the Cincinnati Port on the week of Thanksgiving.

Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(Cincinnati, Oh.) – Lifelike toys got a new meaning after a recent shipment that was intercepted at the Cincinnati Port of Entry last month.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports that Agriculture Specialists were inspecting incoming freight from Barcelona, Spain on November 25 when they notice some unusual padding around a particular toy character.

Specialists opened the packaging and realized the oddly shaped items were smuggled praying mantis egg cases.

Mantids naturally occur in the United States, but some foreign species are illegally traded as pets. CBP officials say Mantid smuggling has been on the rise lately, and other shipments of live mantids and egg cases have been found transiting through Cincinnati early this year.

“Our officers and specialists are dedicated to protecting America and our agricultural and natural resources,” said Cincinnati Supervisory Agriculture Specialist Barbara Hassan. “They are trained to locate and identify anything that might threaten those valuable and beloved sectors of our economy and our national assets. They also work closely with other agencies to protect illegally trafficked and threatened or endangered species.”

"Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that impacts a variety of species throughout the world," said Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "In this case, mantis eggs were illegally smuggled and hidden in a box of toys. Fortunately, our partners at USDA APHIS apprehended the package and worked closely with our Wildlife Inspectors to seize the shipment. I would like to thank the USDA and CBP for their assistance with this case. Together, we can conserve species - and protect our nation's natural resources - for future generations." 

For more information, visit www.cbp.gov.