Inside the mystery surrounding unknown seeds arriving from China. Department warns random seeds originating from China may bring in 'invasive' plants. "According to the Better Business Bureau, foreign, third-party sellers use your address and Amazon information to generate a fake sale and positive review to boost their product ratings," said Phil Wilson, director of the state's Plant Industry Division. Officials are concerned the mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. I thought it seemed strange so I looked into it a little more. 169,862, This story has been shared 38,955 times. Lori Culley, who lives in Tooele, Utah, told Fox 13 that she found two small packages in her mailbox Tuesday that had Chinese writing on them. Ball confirmed that the USDA was investigating, and told residents not to handle or plant the seeds. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Mystery seeds from China are landing in Americans' mailboxes. / CBS/AP. Keep packaging and do not plant seeds from an unknown origin! Seeds of suspicion: It's a bizarre mystery - random packets of seeds from China dropping through British letterboxes, to the horror of government scientists. Virginia's Department of Agriculture issued a similar warning. In Kentucky, the state agriculture department was notified that several residents received unsolicited seed packets sent by mail that appeared to have originated in China, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said earlier. The agency said the shipments were likely the product of the international internet scam known as "brushing.". (1/3) pic.twitter.com/x6GiVyoUj4. The handful of seeds arrive in little sealed clear plastic pouches and are tucked in standard-size light gray or beige envelopes — sometimes labeled as jewelry. "Pls don't plant seeds from unknown origins!" By Mike Wehner @MikeWehner August 5th, 2020 at 4:57 PM Citizens across the United States have reported receiving random unsolicited seed … States are warning people not to plant the seeds they may have received in unsolicited packages. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – … Copyright © 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Anyone in Kentucky receiving packages of foreign or unfamiliar seeds should contact the state agriculture department immediately, Quarles said. "We have the safest, most abundant food supply in the world and we need to keep it that way.". ", VDACS urges #Virginia residents who have received unsolicited seed packets from #China not to plant the seeds & contact ReportAPest@vdacs.virginia.gov. The types of seeds are unknown and could be harmful, he said, stressing they should not be planted. Some Americans are randomly being sent mysterious envelopes full of unlabeled seeds from China. “We … planted the seeds just to see what would happen,’’ Booneville resident Doyle Crenshawn told local CBS-TV affiliate KSFM. the agency tweeted. “The package said it was from China and said ‘studded earrings’ on the outside, and we thought that was a little odd,” Crenshaw acknowledged of his batch. The man planted the seeds before US agriculture officials issued a dire warning to recipients not to put them in the ground, the station said. They include seeds of flowers, herbs and vegetables. Agriculture agencies in multiple states, including in California, are on high alert after mysterious, unsolicited packets of seeds possibly being shipped from China … There have been reports of these random seeds from across the country – forty people in Utah alone have reported getting unexpected packages of seeds from China. US agriculture officials are urging recipients to keep the seeds sealed and call them so they can pick them up. 38,955, This story has been shared 31,397 times. “Every two weeks I’d come by and put Miracle-Gro on it, and they just started growing like crazy,’’ Crenshawn said. Mysterious packages of seeds from China being mailed around the world – Aug 4, 2020 . "The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. "At this point in time, we don't have enough information to know if this is a hoax, a prank, an internet scam or an act of agricultural bio-terrorism," he said. Did you receive a random packet of seeds apparently from China? © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your Ad Choices Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations.". pic.twitter.com/LORKeTh4Tc, State agriculture officials in Virginia warned, "Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seeds-from-china-usda-investigation-identified ", But it also said that as of Tuesday, it didn't have "any evidence indicating this is something other than a 'brushing scam' where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. Australians are being urged not to plant any "mystery seeds" they receive in the mail, after reports of multiple unsolicited seed packets arriving at Australian addresses from Asia. "Unsolicited seeds could be invasive and introduce unknown diseases to local plants, harm livestock or threaten our environment. Wade Shepard Contributor. Don't plant them. 15 days ago. It's not just seeds—Americans are receiving all kinds of unsolicited packages from China, containing items ranging from fake Ray-Ban sunglasses to a pair of used socks. It is unclear who is behind the packages, but US agriculture officials have said they believe the seeds may be part of a “brushing scam” — in which people receive goods they never ordered and the sender then posts a fake customer review in their name to boost sales. "We don't know what they are, and we cannot risk any harm whatsoever to agricultural production in the United States," he said. Face masks have been added to the list of unwanted mystery packages being mailed to U.S. residents from China, leaving residents perplexed as to what's going on. The plant is producing large white fruit from orange flowers that resemble those of a squash. Perhaps the seed scammers branched out. 'Gorilla Glue girl' GoFundMe page under investigation, Man allegedly pushes pregnant wife off cliff after taking selfies, Worst dad ever runs off with girlfriend's mom day after birth of his son, Serena Williams bolts press conference in tears after retirement question, Demi Lovato had 'three strokes and a heart attack' after overdose. Early tax filing might help, NAACP lawsuit will put Trump "out of business," lawmaker says, Dolly Parton rejects proposed statue of her at Tennessee Capitol, California Privacy/Information We Collect. There have also been reports from Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and other locations. People across the nation have opened their mailboxes to discover random packages of seeds they said they didn't order. Culley couldn’t understand why she would be receiving mislabeled seeds from China in the mail, but at first she didn’t think much of it. An Arkansas man who received one of the mysterious seed packages sent to thousands of US residents from China planted them on his property — and said the results are wild. If received, pls contact State Dept of Ag https://t.co/g0WhR57Wv3 or the #APHIS State Plant Health Office https://t.co/CdHtWghDbC. After reports across the country of mysterious packages of seeds arriving from China, residents from New York to … The USDA later urged anyone who receives an unsolicited seed package to contact their state plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director immediately. Americans Are Receiving Unordered Parcels From Chinese E-Criminals -- And Can't Do Anything To Stop Them. So I will say I have been buying seeds in last couple months. MDA is aware that people across the country, including in Maryland, have received unsolicited packages of seeds from China in recent days. August 4, 2020 | 1:46pm | Updated August 4, 2020 | 3:49pm. I asked Lisa if … The USDA and agriculture officials across the U.S. have issued warnings about unsolicited shipments of foreign seeds and advised people not to plant them. It said it is working closely with federal and state partners, including Customs and Border Protection, to investigate. New York Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball said in a statement Monday that his office had also fielded "a few" queries from residents who got unsolicited "packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry but which actually contain plant seeds.". Thanks for contacting us. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. US residents in all 50 states reported getting the bizarre, unsolicited seed packages beginning last month. #APHIS is working closely with @CBP and State Depts of Ag re: unrequested seeds. Wang Wenbin, China's foreign ministry said in a news briefing that China has restrictions on mailing seeds of any kind. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights CBS News has confirmed that residents in all 50 states have now reported receiving suspicious packages of seeds. Residents in other states should contact their state department of ag located here https://t.co/CcNKN2ScZv pic.twitter.com/JpPNp1rCFv, First published on July 28, 2020 / 6:57 AM. By … I just saw an article on random seeds being received. Random Seed Packages Sent In Mail To Canadians Could Be Dangerous: Feds The CFIA is investigating reports of unsolicited mailings containing "unauthorized seeds." Your California Privacy Rights Do not plant seeds from unknown origins," it said Tuesday. A strange package has been sent to people in multiple states: random, unidentified seeds from China. Several US state departments of agriculture report that … We've received your submission. ", APHIS said the USDA is collecting seed packets from people who received them and will test the contents to see if they contain anything that "could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment. An Arkansas man who received one of the mysterious seed packages sent to thousands of US residents from China planted them on his property — … Naturally, people are confused. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. The suspicious deliveries have been reported everywhere from Louisiana to Ohio to Washington State. McGeehan reports that she is still receiving unordered packages from China, only now whoever is sending them has moved on from hair ties to random keychain charms. Sitemap 31,397, This story has been shared 25,231 times. “Our concern is from an invasive-pest aspect: These seeds could introduce an invasive weed or an invasive insect pest or a plant disease,” Scott Bray of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture told the outlet. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them," the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a statement last week, adding: "Please do not plant these seeds. People are reporting these all over the US and UK. 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"Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. He said anyone who gets a packet of seeds "should store them safely in a place children and pets cannot access," and then email the USDA immediately at erich.l.glasgow@usda.gov with their full names and phone numbers, pictures of the packaging, "and any other relevant information.". 25,231, This story has been shared 22,686 times. MDA is working closely with its partners at @USDA_APHIS to monitor this situation. "USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China," the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said in a statement Tuesday. Asia… ", In North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said it was contacted by numerous people who received seed shipments they did not order. 22,686, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved On Tuesday, US agriculture officials issued warnings about the spate of “suspicious, unsolicited” seeds, reported in more than a dozen states, apparently sent from China. Officials warn not to plant mystery seeds delivered across U.S. Officials warn not to plant mystery seeds del... Texas mayor resigns after telling residents "only the strong will survive", Eager for a stimulus check? 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All Rights Reserved, reported getting the bizarre, unsolicited seed packages, 8 best space heaters 2021, according to customer reviews, 11 best plus-size bras and bralettes that are comfortable and supportive, Uncle Bud's Hemp CBD offers Post readers exclusive 25% off sitewide, This highly rated 16-piece makeup brush set is only $9 for Amazon sale, Saks Off 5th takes up to 75 percent off top luxury brands for Cold-Weather event, Mr. Big won't be in the 'Sex and the City' reboot. Terms of Use Maryland agriculture officials said in a tweet they were working with the USDA to investigate seeds sent to residents there and warned people not to plant them. People across the country have reported receiving unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail that appear to be sent from China. This story has been shared 169,862 times. This story has been shared 169,862 times. Call your local agriculture department. Updated on: July 29, 2020 / 7:45 PM Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Privacy Notice CHINA is at the centre of a biosecurity mystery after gardeners were warned not to plant mysterious seeds sent to random houses across the UK and US. The USDA has identified the contents of mysterious seed bags that have been mailed to the United States from China. Virginia residents have been advised not to plant any unsolicited seeds they may have received in the mail, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has advised. “I opened them up and they were seeds,” Culley told the news station.“Obviously they’re not jewelry! Householders have been warned not to plant the seeds. The packages appear to have originated in China, though it's … David Pescovitz 7:39 am Mon Jul 27, 2020 . We have received 2 … And agriculture officials in …