Our Videos

November 16, 09

NEWS / CBP Officers in Miami Confiscate Prohibited Sweet Potatoes Wrapped as Candy


Miami - With the holidays around the corner more people are traveling to their native countries to visit with family and friends to share in holiday traditions and enjoy the food items typical to their culture. These travelers are eager to come home and bring back some of those food and fruit items that might seem harmless but could pose a menace to our agriculture and/or their health.


On November 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted 18 fresh sweet potatoes from a passenger arriving at Miami International Airport from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. After a thorough search of passenger’s luggage agriculture specialists were surprised when they discovered small fresh sweet potatoes that were neatly wrapped in commercial candy wrappers and disguised as a popular Bolivian candy.

The passenger did not declare the sweet potatoes as accompanying items in their baggage, therefore, the passenger was issued a $300 civil penalty in violation of 7 CFR 319.56 and the sweet potatoes were seized and destroyed under CBP supervision.


According to 7 CFR 319.56, fresh sweet potatoes from Bolivia are prohibited from entering the United States. Sweet potato tubers are known to host a wide range of soil borne pathogens like Streptomyces ipomoeae, which

causes soil rot, a destructive scab disease of the sweet potato plant and other pests like Spartocera batatas (Fabricius), a type of weevil known commonly as giant sweetpotato bug.


“Our specialists and officers are among the best in the nation, they take great pride and produce significant results in the performance of their duties,” said Harold Woodward, director of Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection in Miami.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11162009.xml

 




Testimonials

John Beacleay

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help Anton. I mean it's really amazing to me that yo...
Read More »
Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »




FAQ

My alien fiance (fiancee) has already been issued a K-1 visa. Can I go to his/her country, marry him/her, and bring him/her to the Unites States with his/her K-1 visa?
Read More »
Does a home study preparer conducting home studies of American citizens residing abroad in Convention cases have to be authorized to conduct home studies in the United States and/or in the country whe
Read More »
What is the percentage interest in the partnership that should be reported on Form 1065 Schedule B question 3a and 3b under the following facts?
Read More »
Which corporations are required to file returns electronically?
Read More »






News

January 6, 26
Illinois life insurance companies prohibited from discriminating against individuals with criminal record
Read More »
December 29, 25
Filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer spouse Michele died of “multiple sharp force injuries” – death certificates
Read More »
December 19, 25
Jamaican man convicted of using fake birth certificate to apply for US passport
Read More »
December 16, 25
US Supreme Court to examine birth certificates as proof of citizenship
Read More »