Customs officers seize flies in test tubes

The flies are of a type commonly used in scientific research.

Flies can be seen in test tubes seized by customs officers.
Customs officers found more than 1,000 live insects in an imported parcel recently, officials said on Thursday.
The parcel contained 58 test tubes each with about 20 Drosophila melanogaster, a fly commonly used in scientific research.
The contents were not declared and the parcel had no import quarantine permit.
The parcel, which would be sent to a domestic research institute, has been destroyed.
Live insects are banned from being carried or mailed to China without quarantine or approval procedures, customs authorities said.

The parcel contained 58 test tubes.
