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Bugs At The Border Threaten U.S. Agriculture

DETROIT (WWJ) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Detroit say it's been a busy spring for bugs at the border.

Over the past six months, they've found two Khapra beetles, three snails, two noxious weeds, two wood boring pests and one exotic termite in shipments into the Fort Street Cargo Facility in Detroit.

"The Khapra beetles alone have the potential to cause tremendous economic damage to the agricultural industry," said Acting Port Director David Beculheimer, in a news release.

"The snails and noxious weeds could severely impact a billion dollar agricultural industry if not contained. These intercepts show CBP Agriculture Specialists are dedicated to protecting our nation's agriculture interests," he said.

It was discovered in a shipment of chickpeas from India. The snails were in a coil of steel from Russia, while the termite was found in wood packing material in an auto parts shipment from Pakistan.

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