Mystery seeds from China

Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor | Aug 06, 20200

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While they may be no more than a "brushing scam," people are urged not to open or handle unsolicited seeds that have arrived in mailboxes from China Post, such as these which were mailed to a Colfax resident recently.

COLFAX-An international concern is showing up in local mailboxes.

Unsolicited packages of seed from China have been sent to people across the country. Even Whitman County has not been spared this bizarre puzzle.

"I though I'd ordered something from Amazon," said Kristina Willson of Colfax the first time she and husband Craig received one of the small packages. It arrived through the U.S. Postal Service and was marked with China Post. The label had English and Chinese writing on it and said it was from Suzhou JiangSu China. Although the package label said it contained a ring, inside was a smaller plastic sealed packet of what appeared to be dried red beans. Willson was curious and started to look into the mystery. About a week and a half later, on Aug. 1, she received a second package. The label was similar, although this one said the contents were five bulbs. This one contained what appear to be pumpkin seeds with a few small poppy seed-sized items.

Through a web search, Willson found the information for Washington State Plant Health Director Tim St. Germain who immediately responded to her. Willson was instructed to not open the seed packet or handle the seed and to send everything-including packaging, shipping information and labeling-to the Plant Inspection Station at Seatac.

"People are encouraged to neither open or plant these products as they may contain unknown noxious weeds and/or pestilence," Willson said. There is also the concern that, even if the seeds are benign, there may be a substance on them that is not.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is aware of the situation and working closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. Agriculture, according to a press release.

The USDA advises anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds from China should immediately contact their State plant regulatory official or APHIS plant health director. Please hold on to the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

"As you can imagine, there is a great concern that individuals will plant the beans/seeds to see, 'what comes up.' In this there may lie a danger," said Willson.

Anyone who has received one of the unsolicited packages is encouraged to mail it to:

USDA-APHIS-PPQ

ATTN: Jason Allen

Seattle Plant Inspection Station

835 South 192nd St., Bldg. D, Ste. 1600

SeaTac, WA 98148

USDA advises those mailing the packets in to place the unopened seed packet and any packaging, including the mailing label in a mailing envelope. If the seed packets are open, first place the seeds and their packaging into a zip-lock bag, seal it, and then place everything into a mailing envelope. Include your name, address and phone number so that a State or Federal agriculture official can contact you for additional information, if needed.

According to USDA-APHIS, at this time, there is no 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. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.

In Idaho, mail packages to:

USDA APHIS PPQ

9118 West Blackeagle Drive

Boise, ID 83709