37 Giant Live Beetles Smuggled in Japanese Snacks Seized at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted the insects, valued at $1,480, which pose significant agricultural risks.

The beetles, measuring 4 to 5 inches long, were hidden inside packages of potato chips, chocolate, and other Japanese snacks in an air cargo shipment from Japan.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists discovered the 37 live beetles during a routine inspection at Los Angeles International Airport last month.
Officials warn that smuggled beetles can damage agriculture by consuming plants, leaves, and roots, and laying eggs on tree bark, which can harm forests.
The exotic beetles, sought after by collectors, were turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are likely to be donated to zoos or preserved in insect collections.
Importing live insects into the U.S. requires a USDA permit, and the case highlights the risks posed by the illegal trade of exotic insects.