On August 20th 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) announced that they stopped 63 pounds of illegal rat or primate meat (bushmeat) within a week.
These incidents highlight the ongoing efforts to protect public health by preventing the entry of potentially dangerous food items into the United States.
What Happened?
CBP officers seized a total of 63 pounds of bushmeat in two separate incidents at Detroit Metro Airport.
The first case involved 11 pounds of rodent meat found in the luggage of a traveler arriving from Togo, a country in West Africa.
Just days later, 52 pounds of primate meat, falsely declared as antelope, was discovered in the baggage of a traveler from Gabon, a Central African nation.
Both travelers were also carrying other undeclared agricultural items, which added to the violations.
The bushmeat was confiscated and handed over to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for proper disposal. Each traveler was fined $300 for failing to declare the agricultural items.
What Is Bushmeat, and Why Is It Illegal?
Bushmeat refers to meat from wild animals, such as bats, non-human primates (like monkeys), and cane rats, often sourced from regions like Africa.
In some African cultures, bushmeat is considered a delicacy and is sometimes consumed raw or minimally processed, such as through smoking, drying, or salting.
However, this meat poses a serious health risk because it can carry dangerous diseases like Ebola, mpox, and other emerging pathogens that could spread to humans.
The CDC notes that while no human illnesses in the U.S. have been directly linked to illegally imported bushmeat, the risk of disease transmission remains high, especially from handling or consuming infected meat.
For this reason, importing bushmeat into the U.S. is strictly prohibited.
The interceptions occurred in late July 2025 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus, Michigan.
This major international airport is a common entry point for travelers, and CBP agriculture specialists routinely inspect luggage to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations.
According to CBP Public Affairs Officer Youseff Fawaz, bushmeat interceptions at DTW happen about once every few weeks, with an increase during the summer travel season.
Since October 2024, the start of the federal fiscal year, there have been approximately 24 bushmeat seizures at the airport, a rise from the previous year’s rate of about one per month.
Who Was Involved?
The travelers involved were arriving from Togo and Gabon, though their identities were not disclosed in the reports. The traveler from Gabon attempted to misrepresent the primate meat as antelope, likely to avoid detection.
CBP officials emphasized that these incidents are typically not malicious but stem from a lack of awareness about U.S. import laws.
Port Director Fadia Pastilong stated, “These recent bushmeat interceptions are significant in bringing attention to the illegal importation of bushmeat through our ports of entry.
This also showcases how we work with our partner agencies to prevent a potential disease outbreak.”
Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon added, “We routinely find various agriculture items and oddities—live giant snails, animal skulls, and exotic food items—but most times it’s not a malicious act. Despite this, it’s our duty to protect the homeland, and preventing certain food and animal products from entering the U.S. is essential to public health.”
Were They Charged?
Each traveler received a $300 fine for failing to declare agricultural items, as required by U.S. law.
No criminal charges were mentioned in the reports, suggesting the incidents were treated as civil violations rather than intentional smuggling attempts.
The seized bushmeat was turned over to the CDC for destruction to ensure it could not pose a health risk.
Why Does This Matter?
The interception of bushmeat is critical because of the potential for disease outbreaks.
Diseases like Ebola and mpox, which have been linked to handling or consuming infected bushmeat, can have devastating consequences if introduced to human populations.
In Central Africa, bushmeat is an important part of the economy and culture, as noted by Theodore Trefon, a researcher and author of Bushmeat: Culture, Economy, and Conservation in Central Africa.
However, the minimal processing of bushmeat increases the risk of disease transmission, making it a public health concern when brought into the U.S.
CBP’s agriculture specialists play a vital role in safeguarding U.S. borders by intercepting prohibited items.
In addition to bushmeat, DTW has seen other unusual seizures, such as 90 Giant African Land Snails in June 2024 and rare fruit fly larvae in fresh caper flowers earlier in 2025.
These efforts help protect both public health and U.S. agriculture from invasive species and pests.
What Happens Next?
The seized bushmeat has been handed over to the CDC for safe disposal, ensuring it cannot enter the food supply or environment.
CBP will likely continue to monitor and inspect luggage at DTW, especially during peak travel seasons.
Travelers are encouraged to declare all food and plant items upon arrival to avoid fines and help prevent the introduction of exotic pests and diseases.
How Can Travelers Avoid Issues?
To prevent similar incidents, CBP urges travelers to:
- Declare all food and agricultural items when entering the U.S., even if they believe the items are safe.
- Check U.S. import regulations before traveling to understand what is prohibited.
- Be honest during inspections to avoid fines or penalties.
Travelers can learn more about import restrictions on the CBP website (www.cbp.gov) or the CDC’s page on bushmeat (www.cdc.gov).
By intercepting 63 pounds of illegal rodent and primate meat, agriculture specialists prevented potential disease risks from entering the U.S.
These incidents serve as a reminder for travelers to declare all food items and comply with U.S. regulations.
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