CBP officers at the Mariposa Port seized several boxes of liquid last week believed to be homemade beauty products. Officers initially referred a man for further agricultural inspection after initial questioning. Agriculture specialists found plastic containers of thick liquids with handwritten labels identifying them as liquid collagen and placenta.
The owner told CBP inspectors he was taking the items to a family member and did not know what they were made of. Agriculture specialists said the substances are likely of unknown animal or human origin. Substances such as these could pose a risk to animals in the U.S., as well as to humans.
Since the driver did not possess a USDA Veterinary Services permit to bring the items into the country, the items were seized according to law. Because he declared the items, he was not issued a civil penalty for the attempted importation.
CBP agricultural specialists have extensive training and experience in agricultural and biological inspection. Their historic mission of preventing the introduction of harmful plants and foreign animal diseases into the United States provides CBP with the expertise to recognize and prevent the entry of organisms that could be used for biological warfare or terrorism.
A 30 ml. vial of liquified placenta sells for about $60. Supposedly cosmetics that use hormones extracted from the placenta, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Protein Hydrolysate, help to promote tissue growth, which is supposed to be effective in removing wrinkles.