Airport security cracks down on illegal imports, exports

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's video you wont see anywhere else -- the most shocking and bizarre things seized at Houston's big airport. We have an inside look at how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is cracking down on illegal imports and exports, some of which has actually been smuggled into the country.

They come from every corner of the world to Bush Intercontinental Airport's international terminal. And for many passengers, the long trip means lots of luggage. But what may seem like a regular bag sometimes holds a shocking and illegal secret.

"When I started this job, I never thought I'd see some of the things I've seen," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspector Bead Wendt said.

Things brought or smuggled into the country by passengers who don't have the proper permits. That's where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comes in.

"To try and help the United States protect its wildlife," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspector Demarion McKinney said.

Inspectors and agents, along with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers, are constantly checking, searching and scanning baggage.

"We are most concerned with the endangered species, the most threatened species globally," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspector Agent Hampton said.

And often, they find and seize it before it ends up on the black market.

But not even that could prepare us for what we were about to see. Several shelves of some of the most bizarre things, including a llama fetus, have been seized at the airport.

The llama fetus was found wrapped in a plastic bag and stuffed in a passenger's purse.

"A newlywed couple brought that in and they were going to bury it under their front door for good luck. It wasn't lucky for the llama," Customs Chief Jerry Akin said.

And Akin had another surprise for us.

"It's packed with camel dung, feces," Akin said.

It doesn't matter how it's disguised, feces can carry disease, and the Department of Agriculture tells us, it could affect our livestock.

"We are serious about protecting the U.S. and its resources," McKinney said.

So when the plane lands, the hunt is on, and for those caught smuggling, Houston Intercontinental Airport may not be their final destination.

"If it's smuggling, then we are going to investigate it fully and thoroughly," Hampton said. "Absolutely, we will seek prison sentences."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires passengers to declare all imported and exported items and in some cases present a permit as well.

Those caught smuggling for the illegal commercial trade could face numerous felony charges and up to 10 years in prison.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, samica knight

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City of Houston cracks down on customers with overdue water bills

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is getting tough on people who don't pay their water bills. The delinquencies are costing the city millions.

Legally, the city can turn off your water if you fail to pay for more than 52 days and right now, the city says they have more than 20,000 accounts that are over 200 days past due. The total amount to the city exceeds $13 million. That includes commercial and residential, as well as multi-family customers.

The city says it is not going to wait for that money anymore. They say they are going to be quite aggressive starting today in turning off your water if you don't pay.

"Today, we are announcing a stepped up enforcement effort to get people to pay their water bills and the method we use is if you don't pay, you get your water turned off," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "It's not that we haven't been using water cut-offs, but we are about to ramp up the effort."

The city handed out a list of the top 20 customers who are delinquent on their accounts. One customer topped the list, owing $198,451.

The city says it has assistance programs for people who can't afford to pay their bills. There is a water fund available for those individuals. The city says they are willing to work with those people but not with others who have blatantly disregarded their water bills for more than 200 days.

The city says you can call the main Customer Service Number at 713-371-1400 for information related to your water bil, or visit HoustonWaterBills.org. The hotline if service has been cut is 713-371-1110.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, sonia azad

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