5 Things To Know About Mysterious Seeds In Arizona

ARIZONA — Agriculture departments in several states are warning residents to watch their mailboxes for unsolicited seed packets with return addresses that indicate they were sent from China.

“Do not plant seeds from unknown origins,” the United States Department of Agriculture has warned.

What’s unclear is the intent behind the mailings, reported by agriculture officials and residents in nearly every state. In statements, officials acknowledge they don’t know what type of plants grow from the seeds, but tell residents who receive them not to plant them because they could be for invasive species that threaten other crops or livestock.

The USDA said it is working with the states and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to investigate the origin of the packages and collect and test the seeds to determine if they’re harmful to agriculture or the environment.

Here are five things to know about the seeds:

1. Don’t plant them: The consistent message from state agriculture departments is that while there’s no reason to believe they would be dangerous, it’s best not to plant the seeds. The California Department of Food and Agriculture said in their warning that the seeds could contain invasive species or pests.
2. Don’t throw them out: States also say it’s important not to dispose of the seeds. “Please keep all seeds unopened and with their original packaging and labels, including mailing labels, until further instruction is provided,” the Illinois Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
3. They aren’t just coming from China: While many reports indicate most of the mysterious seeds that have shown up here appear to have come from China, one Illinois man has said he has received two batches already, and one was not from China. Calvin Cox told WGN he first received a bag of unordered seeds in March from Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has said China’s postal service strictly abides by restrictions on sending seeds. Records on the packages appear to have been falsified, according to checks by China’s postal service, which has asked for them to be sent to China for investigation.
4. The Arizona Department of Agriculture advised anyone who receives unsolicited seeds to not discard them. Instead, the seeds should be sent or brought to one of several locations in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. Find the one closest to you here.
5. They could be a “brushing” scam: Several experts have said it’s possible the seeds could be part of a larger-than-usual “brushing” scam. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the scheme involves companies attempting to boost online sales by purchasing their own products through fake buyer accounts. The products are shipped to a real address, to someone who didn't order the item. The seller writes a positive review of their items from the fake buyer account. Jane Rupp, president of the Better Business Bureau’s Utah chapter, also suspects the packages are part of a brushing scam. “I don’t think I’ve heard of seeds before,” she told KSTU. “That is rather random.”