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Customs officers seize hermit crabs
Posted: 12.09.2008 at 10:25 AM
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Customs officers working at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge seized 191 hermit crabs in an alleged smuggling attempt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers released a statement about the discovery on Tuesdsay.
Customs officials said a 49-year-old Mexican national living in McKinney, Texas drove in from Mexico on the morning of Nov. 30.
Officers said they discovered 191 live hermit crabs in a box and a bag during a secondary inspection of his vehicle.
Authorities did not release the man's name but said he was issued a $1,910 fine for failure to declare the crabs.
The crabs were seized and transferred to the custody of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Acting Hidalgo/Pharr Port Director Michael R. DeBruhl said it was a first such seizure for the Hidalgo Port of Entry.
“This is another first for this port of entry. We had never seized such a large quantity of live hermit crabs.” DeBruhl said, “I would have to say that this will go down in the books as a one of a kind.”