Toll-free # to report suspicious activity

[pinglover]

Have you ever run into a Nepenthes being offered for sale on eBay or at any other on-line auction site that leaves you scratching your head as to whether the seller will be including phytos or even has the appropriate permits to be able to ship across International boundaries?

Good news, there's a new toll-free telephone number for reporting suspicious on-line auction activity in the future.

1-800-877-3835

I'm also providing everyone with a link to a web site where we can find additional information about the efforts of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to help detect and prevent the unlawful entry and distribution of prohibited and/or non-compliant products that may harbor exotic plant and animal pests, disease or invasive species.

www.aphis.usda.gov/international_safeguarding/sitc/index.shtml

[BarryRice]

Who maintains this toll-free number? What kind of suspicious activity are they looking for? Conservation violations? Pests and pathogens? Or is this a homeland security number?
B

[ICPS-bob]

Goolging the phone number takes one to the APHIS anti-smuggling site.
www.aphis.usda.gov/international_safeguarding/sitc/antismuggling.shtml

[pinglover]

The USDA evidently maintains the phone number. I don't know exactly what types of suspicious activity they are looking for but I suspect it's up to us to report same leaving investigation up to them.