ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered 108 Chinese mitten crabs during commercial inspections at a local facility.
On October 31, during routine examinations of freight, CBP officers noticed several inconsistencies with a package labeled as a dress. Further examination of the package revealed 108 “live” Chinese mitten crabs. Chinese mitten crabs are an invasive species and prohibited from being imported into the United States.
In Asia, mitten crabs are considered a seasonal delicacy; however, their disastrous impact on other global habitats has earned them a place on the Invasive Species Specialist Group’s list of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.”
The mitten crabs were seized and turned over to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). “Our officers did an excellent job identifying a package that required further review,” said Rochester Port Director Ron Menz. “This cooperative effort with the New York DEC prevented an invasive and destructive species from entering our eco-system.”
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