Corriande seeds (illustration). - Fernando Vergara / AP / SIPA

It is a real mystery, presumably from China, facing Americans. The Agriculture services of several states in the country have published press releases in recent days warning their inhabitants of suspicious packages containing mysterious seeds.

"Do not open the package"

"The types of seeds in the packages are currently unknown and are likely to contain invasive plant species," the Ohio Agriculture Department warned Monday. “If you receive such a package, please DO NOT sow these seeds. If they are in a sealed package, do not open the package, ”advised the authority, which redirects to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Ohio Agriculture Department says "unwanted seeds can be invasive, contain noxious weeds, introduce disease to local plants, or be dangerous to livestock." Similar directives have been issued by the agriculture departments of the states of Washington, Louisiana, Virginia and Kansas.

Chinese characters on some labels

According to local media and photos shared by residents on social media, packages were also sent to Utah and Arizona. Some of them were cataloged as if they were jewelry and contained Chinese characters on their labels.

#APHIS is working closely with @CBP and State Depts of Ag re: unrequested seeds. If received, pls contact State Dept of Ag https://t.co/g0WhR57Wv3 or the #APHIS State Plant Health Office https://t.co/CdHtWghDbC. Keep packaging and do not plant seeds from an unknown origin! pic.twitter.com/LORKeTh4Tc

- USDA APHIS (@USDA_APHIS) July 27, 2020

The motivations behind these shipments remain obscure for the moment. According to the Ohio Police Department, this could be "brushing," an unfair technique used in online commerce that involves improving reviews of a product by generating bogus orders. When in doubt, the USDA provides a telephone number and address for those "aware of potential trafficking in exotic fruits, vegetables or meat products banned in or in transit through the United States".

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  • China
  • United States
  • Suspicious package
  • Agriculture
  • World