Question

A suitcase full of mummified monkey remains was found in the Boston Airport

Answer 1

This is true.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an individual returning to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo attempted to illegally import four deceased and dehydrated monkeys into the U.S. via Boston Logan International Airport on Jan. 8, 2024.

CBP K-9 officer Buddey alerted his handler to the luggage containing the monkeys during the screening of Delta flight 225 from Paris.

"When questioned about the bag, the passenger declared that it only held dried fish. The luggage was x-rayed and appeared to hold dried fish. Still, upon physical inspection, the officer identified the dead and dehydrated bodies of four monkeys," the CBP's report stated.

Raw or minimally processed meat from wild animals, such as monkeys, in some areas of the world, including Africa, is referred to as “bushmeat.” Bushmeat may pose a communicable disease risk, so it is not allowed entry into the United States.

According to CBP, they contacted the Center for Disease Control (CDC), who requested that the luggage containing the bushmeat be seized and that Delta Airlines either destroy or return the bags to France. The 4 kilograms of bushmeat was detained for CDC and marked for destruction.  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection report: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-k9-sniffs-out-illegal-import-mummified-monkey-remains

The claim includes a link to the article by NPR, and NPR is a reliable news source.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/k9-sniffs-out-mummified-monkey-remains-imported-illegally-luggage-airport/LBT4XMXNSJA5LG556GBRXKE5KA/

https://www.kktv.com/2024/02/12/k-9-sniffs-out-mummified-monkey-remains-airport/

Answer 2

This is true. On January 8, 2024, a K9 discovered the 9lb remains in a passenger bag at Logan Airport in East Boston, MA. However, it was not made public until February (The Guardian). The passenger, returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo,  told authorities that the bag contained dried fish, but after further review, it actually contained the "dead and dehydrated bodies of four monkeys." Julio Caravia, Area Port Director of CBP Boston said, “The potential dangers posed by bringing bushmeat into the United States are real. Bushmeat can carry germs that can cause illness, including the Ebola virus." The monkey remains were marked for destruction and no charges were filed.