From U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

STERLING, Va. – Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Washington-Dulles International Airport were in for a bit of a surprise Dec. 3, when a passenger from Ghana opened his suitcase. Staring back at them was a plethora of animal products including a hedgehog, elephant tails, chameleons, genet skins, seed pods, bloody sheets and a lot of soil.

“This is by far one of the strangest suitcases we’re ever opened. The passenger told us that the items were to be used for spiritual purposes. From what we were able to learn, the items seem consistent with that explanation,” said Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington (DC). 

“Regardless of its intended purpose, each item posed potentially severe animal and plant disease threats to American agriculture,” Hess said. “Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists were required to destroy them.”