U.S. Customs focused on flower imports

Published 12:01 am Saturday, February 5, 2011

Amid the peak Valentine’s Day flower season, U.S. agents are working overtime to make sure pretty love bouquets are not used as transportation by exotic South American plant pests or cocaine traffickers.

More than eight out of every 10 cut flowers imported to the U.S. during Valentine season pass through Miami, with Colombia and Ecuador by far the largest sources of roses, chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, Peruvian lillies and dozens of other varieties popular every Feb. 14.

Those countries are also sources for insects that could wreak havoc on American crops and gardens — and for cocaine and other drugs. More than 272 million cut flowers passed through the Miami airport between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14 last year .

“Right now is our peak season,” said Rolando Suliveras of U.S. Customs in Miami. “Our workload has increased tenfold.”

Associated Press