Source: SFGate
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that officers had found more than 50 pounds of sea cucumbers concealed in a vehicle driven by a woman who was crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into California last week. … During a routine inspection of her vehicle, a border agent found ‘what looked like dried sea cucumbers’ in the trunk, the release said. Upon further inspection, an agricultural specialist with the agency confirmed that items found in the woman’s trunk were sea cucumbers. Agents found 53.79 pounds of the animals in total. Sea cucumbers are a valuable seafood and traditional medicine; packs of dried sea cucumbers can cost hundreds of dollars. ‘Sea cucumbers are subject to strict regulations to prevent over-harvesting and ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems,’ the release said.” (08/28/24)