“Danger is real”: Mystery seed mailings from China spike across Texas, prompting security fears
- Unsolicited seed packages from China are arriving in Texas and other states.
- Officials warn these seeds threaten agriculture with invasive species or disease.
- The mailings exploit a security failure in border and postal customs systems.
- Authorities urge the public to report and not dispose of the packages.
- This could be a biological test probing weaknesses in national food security.
A new wave of suspicious packages is hitting mailboxes across Texas, and state officials are warning that this bizarre trend poses a direct threat to the nation’s food supply and ecological security. Since the start of the year, the Texas Department of Agriculture has collected 126 bags of unsolicited seeds sent to residents, continuing a disturbing pattern that saw more than 1,100 such packages arrive in the state last year alone. The seeds, which most often appear to originate from China, are prompting urgent warnings not to plant them due to fears they could introduce invasive species or crop diseases.
“These packages are pouring in faster and further than ever before,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in a Jan. 15 statement. “They may look innocent, but the danger is real. One invasive species, pest, or pathogen could devastate Texas farms, ranches, natural resources, and food supply.”
The phenomenon is not entirely new, echoing a widespread “brushing scam” from 2020 where retailers shipped unsolicited items to generate fake online reviews. However, the scale and persistence of these seed mailings have authorities concerned that the consequences could extend far beyond retail fraud. Commissioner Miller emphasized the seriousness of the issue, noting, “At a glance, this might seem like a small problem, but this is serious business.”
Seeds pose numerous risks
The state’s investigation began in February 2025 after a resident in Clute, Texas, reported receiving an unsolicited package from China containing seeds and an unlabeled liquid. Federal authorities identified the seeds as sacred lotus, a plant considered invasive outside its native Asia. Although it is not on the federal noxious weed list, it is prohibited in Wisconsin and can disrupt local ecosystems.
One affected resident reported ordering a dog toy from the Chinese e-commerce platform Temu before the seeds arrived. This suggests the mailings are tied to online shopping data, but the intent behind sending biological material remains unclear and alarming. The Texas Department of Agriculture is now investigating whether these shipments are “disproportionately targeting Texas.”
A glaring security failure
Beyond the agricultural threat, this situation exposes a critical vulnerability in national border and postal security. Commissioner Miller pointedly identified a systemic failure, telling News 4 San Antonio, “We’ve got a flaw in our security system. These things are coming direct ship. Customs is not picking this up.” His statement underscores a troubling reality: organic materials with the potential to cause ecological and economic havoc are entering the country unchecked through the mail.
The packages are not just a Texas problem. Similar reports have emerged from New Mexico, Alabama, Ohio, and Florida, indicating a coordinated nationwide campaign. Officials are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to collect and steam sterilize the seeds, but the volume of packages suggests the system is being overwhelmed.
Authorities are pleading with the public for vigilance. “Texans need to stay sharp,” Miller urged. “Report every suspicious package. We can’t take any chances that might jeopardize our producers, the environment, or food security.” Residents are instructed not to open the packages, not to plant the seeds, and not to throw them away. Instead, they should contact the Texas Department of Agriculture immediately for proper disposal.
The historical context here is critical. Protecting American agriculture from foreign pests and blights is a century-old battle. Introducing a new pathogen or an aggressively invasive plant could decimate entire crops, drive up food prices, and permanently alter landscapes. What might be dismissed as a quirky mail scam could, in fact, be a form of biological testing, probing for weaknesses in our agricultural defenses.
When a state as large and agriculturally vital as Texas cannot stop hundreds of unidentified seed packets from crossing its threshold via the postal service, it speaks to a broader failure of sovereignty. It raises the question of what else, far more dangerous, might be slipping through the same cracks. The call to action is simple: report the seeds. But the underlying message is profound. In an era of complex threats, sometimes the most potent dangers arrive in the smallest, most innocent-looking packages.
Sources for this article include:
TheEpochTimes.com
NBCDFW.com
NYPost.com
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