Giant African snails seized at Los Angeles airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors seized a live shipment of 67 giant African snails at Los Angeles International Airport this month.

Officials said Monday that the 35 pounds of snails arrived from Nigeria along with paperwork stating they were for human consumption.

Officials say the snails were intercepted July 1 and they were subsequently identified after a sample was sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture specialists in Washington, D.C.

A photograph released by the agency shows a person using two hands to hold a single snail.

Experts say the species of snail is prohibited because it poses a serious threat to agriculture, public health and the economy.

Officials say the snails were disposed of through incineration.