Glasgow Security Finds 36 Snails in a Man's Luggage

Getting through an airport can be a slow process, but it was even slower for a man that had 36 snails in his luggage.

A Nigerian man was stopped by Border Force officials at Glasgow Airport in Scotland when they discovered that he has 36 living giant African land snails in his luggage. The man had arrived from Amsterdam earlier this month.

The snails measured about 5 inches long with shells about the size of a fist.

The man that attempted to bring the snails into Scotland claimed that they were for food. This may not be so surprising as snails are a popular delicacy that are sometimes found in soup and other dishes. However it is rare for people to transport live ones in their suitcase.

Officials seized the snails because an import license is required to transport live animals. The man did not have the license.

The snails have the potential to pass on diseases, but it is not likely for them to survive the cold temperatures on winter in the UK. The snails were given to an animal rescue organization and the man was given a warning.

"The vigilance of our officers at Glasgow Airport has stopped these snails from entering Scotland, and possibly posing a risk to our native plants and wildlife," said Murdo MacMillan, of the Border Force in Scotland, as quoted by The Press Association.

"I would warn travellers not to attempt to bring live animals into the UK without a permit, or to bring in any products of animal origin which may contain pests or diseases," he continued.

Snails aren't the only strange thing to be smuggled in a suitcase recently. Earlier this month a man was stopped when security noticed something weird about the contents of his luggage. Security found 33 pounds worth of dead caterpillars in his luggage. When security threatened to take the bugs away, the man began eating them, saying that they were also a source of food.