see also: in February 2009:   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Fugitive Wanted on Drug Charges   CBP Discovers Illegal Aliens Hidden in Vehicle's Water Tank, Speaker Box   Border Patrol Nets 68 Pounds of Cocaine in Latest Seizure   CBP Officers Seize More than $665,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry   CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham Retires   El Paso Area CBP Officers Apprehend Louisiana Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder and 39 Other Fugitives   Trusted Traveler Participant in New York Arrested with Child Pornography ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Seattle - A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist recently conducted a foreign vessel inspection at the Port of Everett, Wash., where he discovered live beetles infesting the ship’s dry food stores.

The insects were seized on Sunday morning, February 8. The pests have been identified as Khapra beetles (Trogoderma granarium (Dermestidae), by a U. S. Department of Agriculture entomologist. Discovery of these beetles is extremely rare in the United States.

“CBP places a very high priority on our agriculture inspection program,” said Seattle CBP acting Service Area Port Director Edward Young. “This significant pest interception illustrates the vital role played by CBP agriculture specialists in protecting America’s agricultural economic interests.”

This break bulk cargo vessel arrived at 2 a.m., Sunday morning from Portland, Ore., carrying steel plates. Prior to arriving in the United States, the vessel had previous ports of call in Egypt, Greece and Denmark. The vessel was targeted for an enforcement compliance boarding by CBP agriculture specialists because it had not previously visited any Puget Sound ports.

Upon initial inspection of the ship's dry stores room, two live beetles were found (one immature and one adult) crawling in various dried goods (rice, beans, etc). Several larval insect cast skins were also discovered on the floor and shelves of the dry store room. A follow-up intensive inspection revealed additional live beetles in various life stages. They were found in the galley spice cabinets and hidden between the cushions of the dining room bench.

Khapra beetles are considered one of the world’s most destructive pests of seeds and grain products. The species is adaptive and although it thrives in warm, dry climates, it can also survive in colder climates in heated warehouses and in food and grain storage facilities. The species is native to India but has established itself in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Because the Khapra beetle can not fly, it normally spreads between continents by commerce and trade. It can survive for several years with little food, often hiding in cracks and crevices. Grain products contaminated by the Khapra beetle can cause adult and especially infant gastrointestinal irritation.

If the beetle were to establish itself in the U.S., the cost to agricultural commerce would be extremely high. USDA estimates that the Khapra beetle could thrive in Washington State if it became established here.

The owners of the vessel were given the option of having the infested areas fumigated under the supervision of USDA while in Seattle or an immediate departure from U.S. waters. They elected the second option and left the US on February 11. They owners informed CBP that they were sailing to China, where they plan to have the infested areas of the vessel treated. CBP will require a fumigation certificate and conduct a thorough inspection for pests before allowing the ship to re-enter the U.S. at any port.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.