Chicago CBP Intercepts Monkey Carcass, 125 Pounds Prohibited Ruminant Meat

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A monkey and 125 pounds of prohibited meat intercepted by Agriculture Specialists in Chicago

Release Date Wed, 04/22/2026 CHICAGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport intercepted two significant, prohibited commodities on April 11.

CBP officers referred a traveler arriving from Cameroon to a secondary agriculture inspection. An anomaly discovered during an X-ray examination of the traveler’s baggage prompted a thorough search of the suitcase. A CBP agricultural specialist discovered a monkey carcass within the luggage. Due to significant human health concerns, the monkey remains were detained by CBP and destroyed in accordance with partner governing agency directives.

A subsequent traveler from Liberia tried to deceptively sneak in prohibited ruminant meat. CBP agriculture specialists inspected eight boxes within the traveler’s baggage and discovered meat, bones, and hair concealed in dried seafood. The traveler admitted that the concealed meat was beef. Seafood is generally admissible, but ruminant meat from certain parts of the world is prohibited due to the presence of disease, such as Bovine spongiform Encephalopathy and Foot and Mouth Disease.

CBP agriculture specialists seized a total of 125 pounds of prohibited ruminant meat, one pound of prohibited fresh leaves, and four types of prohibited seeds for planting from the Liberian traveler’s baggage.

“CBP’s agriculture specialists mitigate the threat of non-native plants and pests, plant and animal diseases, and other potentially contaminants entering the United States,” said Chicago Field Office’s Acting Director of Field Operations Michael Pfeiffer. “The sheer volume of prohibited items our specialists intercept daily demonstrates how they play an essential and critical role in preventing plant and animal diseases from entering the United States.”

Travelers who wish to import plant materials, animal materials and other agricultural items should visit Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States. Travelers may also search the CBP Information Center on CBP’s website or call (877) 227-5511. Most importantly, arriving international travelers should always declare all items acquired abroad to CBP officers to avoid civil or criminal penalties.

CBP’s border security mission is led at 328 ports of entry by CBP officers and Agriculture Specialists from the Office of Field Operations. Follow Chicago CBP on X @CBPChicago and @DFOChicago. Learn more about CBP at www.CBP.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 67,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

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  Last Modified: Apr 22, 2026

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