Customs Officers On Watch For Guns, Drugs And … Food?

November 9, 2011 12:00 AM " CHICAGO (CBS) - Guns and drugs are not the only items being seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Federal agents are going after smuggled goods that could bring foreign bugs and diseases into the United States.

CBS 2′s Dave Savini went behind the scenes with federal agents to get a first-hand look at the potential dangers.

One of the grossest rooms at O’Hare International Airport is filled with bugs, slugs and diseased and banned food. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers confiscate potentially harmful meat and plant products.

There is produce infested with bugs – including mangos carrying an insect that could wipe out certain crops. Other contaminated items are put under the microscope, then destroyed.

A chunk of meat was found in one person’s luggage and another traveler actually carved a hole in a book to smuggle in sausage. We found a smuggled ham leg. These are potential dangers, because they come from countries with swine flu or foot and mouth disease, which could endanger livestock.

Also found in luggage was a 100-year-old fermented egg. It’s a delicacy in parts of Asia, but it is banned in the U.S. because of bird flu, a disease that can jeopardize the poultry industry. "

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