An African millipede hitched a ride all the way from Johannesburg to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States in the suitcase of an unwitting couple.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unit discovered the many-legged creature with the help of Regal, a member of the CBP Beagle Brigade.
On 18 December 2018, the trained beagle alerted the CBP to the couple’s checked-in baggage at the international baggage claim area, drawing the attention of airport security staff.
CBP Twitter/ Regal the beagle next to the discovered African millipede
Upon further investigation, a CBP Agricultural Specialist (CBPAS) discovered the live African millipede inside the suitcase at Hartsfield-Jackson, one of the world’s busiest airports. The couple was shocked to find that the adventurous leggy fellow had decided to travel with them in their luggage.
Travelling from Johannesburg and destined for South Carolina, the couple had been unaware that the millipede had crawled into their suitcase and gone along for the ride.
CBP measured the millipede and found that it was nearly 15 centimetres (6 inches) in length. The critter was collected and secured by the CBP, which is working with the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to find a local insectarium to house the millipede.
What is That? Its an African Millipede intercepted by @CBP #Beagle at @ATLairport Learn more at https://t.co/q7Cq5jS0cR #ATL #Atlanta #K9 pic.twitter.com/1tY2ZCQDs4
— CBP Southeast (@CBPSoutheast) December 21, 2018
Atlanta CBP Area Port Director Carey Davis commented on the importance of sniffer dogs at airports in a statement shared on CBP’s official news website.
‘CBP is on the frontline 24/7, searching for anything entering our country that could potentially harm our citizens,’ she said.
On average, the CBP unit inspects more than one million people a day.
The millipede surely must have seen it all in the City of Gold and wanted to travel abroad.
How Did @CBP Find a Giant African Millipede at @ATLairport ? Our #CBP “Beagle Brigade” sniffed out the unwanted “Hitchhiker” attempting to catch a ride in a travelers luggage. Check in out https://t.co/q7Cq5jS0cR #ATL #Beagle #Atlanta pic.twitter.com/2DGaLaXP9R
— CBP Southeast (@CBPSoutheast) December 21, 2018
Picture: Twitter/ CBD Southeast
