New Orleans International Airport staff found a human umbilical cord in a passenger’s luggage. This was reported on the website of the US Border and Customs Service (CBP).
A man who flew on a Spirit Airlines flight from Honduras hid a human organ with an attached medical bracelet in a suitcase but was caught during a research of the bags.
The traveler explained that all this belonged to his relative. However, the bundle with the umbilical cord was confiscated by the customs service for further destruction.
According to the publication, this is not the first time that human umbilical cords have been removed from passengers in New Orleans. A similar incident occurred in June when the man also flew in from Honduras.
“Given the huge number of flights, our officers often encounter unusual items in their suitcases. However, two umbilical cords a month apart, imported from the same country, clearly deserve attention, ”said Mark Choina, acting director of the New Orleans airport.
Currently, the importation of biological materials into the United States requires special permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.