see also: in July 2007 News Releases:   CBP Air and Marine Acquires Helicopters for Border Security Mission   CBP Officers At El Paso Port Nab 50 Pounds Of Cocaine; Two Juveniles Taken Into Custody   CBP Border Patrol Agent Dies In the Line of Duty   Hong Kong to Scan U.S.-Bound Goods for Radiation as Part of Secure Freight Initiative   Border Patrol Assists in Third Canal Rescue in a Week   CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted For Murder, Rape, Burglary   Operation Streamline Nets 1,200-Plus Prosecutions in Arizona ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Miami - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for ensuring that no intruders enter the United States undetected, including those of the winged variety. On July 1, CBP agriculture specialists were conducting an inspection of a flight arriving from Romania, when they discovered live fruit fly larvae in a package of 20 cherries seized from a passenger.

The live larvae was captured by a CBP agriculture Specialist and sent to the USDA Miami Inspection Station. Scientists there identified the larvae as Ceratitis capitata, better known as the Mediterranean fruit fly. The seized food item was cut, ground and destroyed under CBP supervision.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Med fly) is one of the world’s most destructive pests, capable of attacking 260 different fruits, flowers, vegetables and nuts. If this exotic pest were to become established in the United States, the estimated annual loss would be substantial.

"These losses would come in the form of export sanctions, lost markets, treatment costs, reduction of crop yields, damaged fruits, premature fruit drop and plant diseases", stated Harold Woodward, director of Miami CBP operations. "CBP is dedicated in protecting America’s agricultural and environmental resources from the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases."

For more information on the Med fly, visit www.aphis.usda.gov

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.