U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport recently discovered a monkey carcass and illegal meat during separate X-ray examinations.<\/p>\n
The carcass belonged to a traveler from Cameroon, who packaged the primate in luggage.<\/p>\n
PROTEIN BOOM IS THREATENING TO WIPE OUT VEGETARIAN CHAIN AS SHUTDOWN LOOMS<\/a><\/p>\n “Due to significant human health concerns<\/a>, the monkey remains were detained by CBP and destroyed in accordance with partner governing agency directives,” the agency said.<\/p>\n It wasn’t the only concerning find from the region. Another traveler from Liberia tried to sneak in “ruminant meat” identified as beef<\/a>.<\/p>\n Federal authorities say recent inspections uncovered illegal animal products in travelers’ luggage (not pictured), raising concerns about disease risks entering the United States. (iStock)<\/p>\n “CBP agriculture specialists inspected eight boxes within the traveler’s baggage and discovered meat, bones and hair concealed in dried seafood<\/a>,” officials said in a statement.<\/p>\n “The traveler admitted that the concealed meat was beef.”<\/p>\n While seafood is generally admissible, certain meats are banned due to disease risks in their countries of origin, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy<\/a> (mad cow disease) and foot-and-mouth disease, according to CBP.<\/p>\n “I feel for the customs agents who came across that mess.”<\/p>\n CBP said 125 pounds of the meat<\/a> was seized in addition to a pound of prohibited fresh leaves and “four types of prohibited seeds for planting” from the Liberian traveler’s baggage.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n The monkey carcass in particular riled up social media users on X.<\/p>\n “Sounds like they are trying to start the next pandemic,” one person observed.<\/p>\n CBP agriculture specialists continue to seize banned food items at airports, underscoring strict regulations aimed at protecting public health and agriculture. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Bush meat, the breakfast<\/a> of champions,” another quipped.<\/p>\n A third user wrote, “I feel for the customs agents who came across that mess.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n The issue isn’t just limited to the Windy City.<\/p>\n Carlos C. Martel, director of field operations in Florida, announced Wednesday that over 44 pounds of prohibited meat was recently intercepted at Miami International Airport.<\/p>\n “We relish the inspection process!”<\/p>\n A picture of the haul shows several “salsicha” hot dogs<\/a> stacked on a stainless steel inspection table. The prohibited meat came from Brazil.<\/p>\n “We relish the inspection process!” Martel’s pun-filled X post said.<\/p>\n![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CONFISCATED-MEATS-CBP-AIRPORT-MONKEY-CARCASS-1.jpeg\")
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