CBP intercepts 134 kg of opium poppy pods
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Philadelphia has seized 123 shipments containing 134 kg of dried opium poppy pods, delivered in stages between 1 and 20 May.
63 shipments on 1 May weighed a combined 65 kg, 20 shipments on 7 May (almost 30 kg), twelve shipments on 13 May (14 kg), eight shipments on 14 May (4 kg), 14 shipments last Monday (12 kg), and six seizures the following day (9 kg).
The parcels originated in Spain and were falsely declared as "ornamental craft balls". They were destined for addresses in 17 US states. The pods, which contain morphine and codeine, are classified as a schedule II controlled substance. They are often misused to brew poppy tea, posing serious health risks.
The shipments, valued at about USD 30,000, were confiscated for destruction. This marks the second major poppy pod seizure by the Baltimore field office this year, following a 113 kg case at Dulles airport in February. (ah)