Mummified Monkey Remains Discovered in Luggage at Boston Airport

A traveler passing through Boston Logan International Airport claimed their luggage contained dried fish. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents discovered mummified remains, including the heads of four monkeys, during an inspection.

The discovery took place on February 8th, 2024 during a passenger security screening. A detection dog named Buddey alerted agents to the contents of the bag, which belonged to a traveler returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

CBP stated that raw or minimally processed meat from wild animals, referred to as bushmeat, is prohibited from entering the U.S. due to health risks.

The CBP Boston Area Port Director said that Bushmeat can carry germs that cause illness, including the Ebola virus.

The traveler was carrying approximately 8 pounds of bushmeat, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified for destruction.

Similar incidents have occurred at other airports:

• In 2022, agents at Washington Dulles Airport confiscated charred bat meat.
• In 2019, officers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport intercepted 32 pounds of rat meat.