Dozens of giant African snails seized at LAX

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Nearly 70 live giant African snails, a popular delicacy across West Africa, were seized recently at Los Angeles International Airport.

The snails, which are prohibited in the U.S., were confiscated on July 1 in a cargo shipment coming from Nigeria. Giant African snails can grow up to eight inches and can live for up to 10 years.

U.S. Customs and Border protection officials say the shipment was addressed to someone in San Dimas and marked for human consumption. They are eaten in Nigeria and other countries. The snails can cost $50 to feed a dinner party of six in Lagos, Nigeria.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the snails can carry harmful parasites, transfer meningitis and destroy crops. The USDA incinerated the snails after they were inspected.

Maveeda Mirza, the CBP program manager for agriculture, said the person who was supposed to receive the shipment is not expected to face any penalties.

Authorities are investigating why one person would want so many snails. Mirza said it doesn't appear that there was smuggling involved. She said there's usually no punishment if someone doesn't know that a commodity is prohibited.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.