Crime

Two Seattle Men Detained at US Border For Illegal Chocolate Eggs: ‘I Actually Laughed’

(The Blaze/AP) — Two Seattle men say they spent more than two hours in a detention center at the Canadian border after U.S. border agents discovered illegal chocolate eggs in their car.

Brandon Loo and Christopher Sweeney told KOMO-TV they decided to bring home some treats for friends and family during a recent trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. They bought Kinder Eggs – chocolate eggs with a toy inside.

“We packed it in the back of the car because we weren’t going to eat them,” Loo told KOMO-TV.

The two men say border guards searched their car and said the eggs are illegal in the United States because young children could choke on the small plastic toys. Importing them can lead to a potentially hefty fine.

“He said, ‘Are you aware kinder eggs are illegal in the United States and carry a $2,500 fine per egg?’ And I actually laughed,” Sweeney explained.

The men eventually got off with a warning.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman declined to comment about the case Tuesday night.

“They wasted our time,” Sweeney added. “They wasted the money spent on the agents to do this and there are other cars that went through without checking them at all.”

The agency warned on its website around Easter that the treats can’t be imported legally.

Seattle Men Brandon Loo and Christopher Sweeney Detained at US Border For Illegal Chocolate Kinder Eggs

Kinder Eggs (File)

A similar incident occurred in 2011 when a woman had her chocolate Kinder Eggs confiscated at the U.S. border. She was warned by officials that the candy is illegal in America and is considered “contraband.”

The agency says it seized more than 60,000 Kinder Eggs from travelers’ baggage and international mail shipments in fiscal 2011.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (84)

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  • Warthog Fixer
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:37pm

    So, in the infinite wisdom of the U.S. Government and all its power we cannot bring this evil product into the United States because young children who aren’t being watched by their exceptional parents might choke and presumably die. HOWEVER, if we eat the chocolate egg prior to crossing, the toy itself is perfectly legal to bring across the border?

    Is this not passing the common sense test with anyone else? This just goes to prove that you only need to fog a mirror to live in this country because the nanny state will take care of you… are we really free?

    Report Post » Warthog Fixer  
    • rickc34
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:05pm

      What?????? Chocolate eggs illegal but illegals aliens are ok?? Dumb a__ Obama get your head out of your back side. Chocolate eggs taste wonderful, Illegal aliens use up tax dollars and resources and are Illegal, no passport, no proof of who they are, a rapist, a serial killer or a gang member from south america or what. I would rather take my chances with the chocolate eggs, Moron.

      Report Post »  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:11pm

      We can just dig a underground tunnel so we can transport all the eggs we want !! BUAHAHAHAHA Where are the bunny mules ?

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
    • IsThereADifference
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:19pm

      The agency has now seized 60000 eggs??? How many illegals did they catch???

      That’s right. The border patrol is not in the business of keeping illegals out. They are doing a fine job keeping those chocolate eggs out though. Keep up the good work America.

      Report Post » IsThereADifference  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:21pm

      what, they don’t put a warning on them for not for children under age 3? They put that warning on all McDonald’s toys now, incuding bag is not a toy, as if some Oblama voter would hand the bag to the kid in the back seat and woner why they got so quiet…..

      Report Post »  
    • Atrum Angelis
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:33pm

      @loriann12
      There is. Very clearly too.

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:33pm

      There are a ton of laws like this. Probably at least half our laws now are stupid, common sense lacking laws. But remember, laws like these are for our own safety. Just like the beatings police give innocent people and or those already cuffed.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • battles
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:58pm

      Another one of the multitude of laws whereby out government can destroy us.
      If stopped or qustioned by the police, your answer to ANY question should be:
      ‘Officer, my lawyer has informed me that the all the information you need from me is on my drivers license.’ And that is only if you were driving.

      Report Post » battles  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:50pm

      Barry has Eric looking into whether Mitt is a felon for bringing in some chocolate eggs from Canada.And did he declare them on his tax forms?

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • SquareHead
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:07pm

      This defies all logic.. But then again it is the US government…

      TIME TO CUT OUR GOVERNMENT BY 80% and allow the states themselves to manage their own affairs. so if you can live in a Kinder Egg friendly state.

      We need to eliminate ALL Federal laws that protect us from ourselves. if states like California, NY NJ or MA wants to make their state Nannie states, let them. And let they pay with their taxes for such useless dribble.

      The ONLY Thing that should be done from the Feds is our defense, and international trade agreements, as well as having a court that will oversee disputes among states. THAT IS IT.
      FIRE ALL OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. We should only pay taxes to our states and our states should pay the Feds their portion.

      Once we say that Government needs to protect ourselves from ourselves, we have given up on liberty and paved the way for busy planners to meddle in our lives.

      The fact is that kids can choke on rocks, and peanuts and a host of things. This is tyranny. In fact we should start prosecuting the planners.

      GOVERNMENT IS NEVER DICTATED BY LOGIC.

      A government agency only has to justify their existence ONCE, and that through lies and propaganda, and only at the time of inception to be granted eternal life. NO amount of damage they do, will stop the flow of tax payer money :(

      TIME TO DEMAND CHANGE AND CHANGE CAN ONLY COME BY A BACKBONE.

      Ron Paul 2012

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:09am

      80% is a good start! Soon enough we can cut it by 100%.

      Report Post » black9897  
  • Tmwatz
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:36pm

    When I overheard a story like this I thought it had to be false because it was so dumb! I guess not. I brought some in when I went down for Christmas for my nieces and nephews. Despite having my car searched, they didn’t find them but they did fïn orange peels in my garbage! Can you imagine the lecture I recieved for that?! Oh my goodness.

    Report Post »  
  • Thatsitivehadenough
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:31pm

    Is it any wonder why the USA is a failing state?

    Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
  • Skrewedretiree
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:29pm

    It‘s a good thing they didn’t try to come in through a country road in the woods; without the Washington State Discover Pass they could be fined just for being on public woodlands without a permit.

    Report Post » Skrewedretiree  
  • ConflagrationCass
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:29pm

    Place the egg on the ground and step back!

    Report Post »  
  • FlamingFartSyndrome
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:28pm

    I understand border agents have a job to do, but when something like this happens, they should be aware that no normal person would know this law, and not say something like, ‘Are you aware kinder eggs are illegal in the United States and carry a $2,500 fine per egg? Ridiculous

    Report Post » FlamingFartSyndrome  
  • neiman1
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Priorities. We cannot deport illegals and must prioritize the use our our resources. Now we see where their priorities lie.

    Report Post »  
  • Kilmerfan
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:23pm

    I love those I had some in Canada.

    Report Post » Kilmerfan  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:51pm

      And you survived? Those things are lethal!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:20pm

    Gestapo Border Agent: Is zis chocolate in your suitcase?
    US Citizen: Uh, yah, some easter candy.
    Gestapo Border Agent: You know zis is illegal? Let me see your papers.
    US Citizen: What??? IT’s easter candy.
    Gestapo Border Agent: Ah, you resist, (snapping rubber glove), you will make my day very happy. Bend over and Heil Napoliano.
    US Citizen: What are you doing??? Moooooooooon River.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:18pm

    This sort of random embicilty makes me feel a little sad for America.

    It is a great nation that Americans are justifiably proud of – and then you see a story like this. I realise it doesn’t mean much in the overall scheme of this, but it is just silly – and a bit sad.

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:36pm

      We have our wonderful FDA to thank. I sent some of these back to the states from Germany back in the ’90s. How can we know all of these regulations? They apparently didn’t know at the Post Office because I listed them on the Customs tag.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:46pm

      @RJJinGadsden
      They only became illegal about 5-6 years ago. Apparently, we Americans are too stupid to have chocolate eggs with candy in them, because our kids eat the whold thing and choke on the little toys. But you can buy them in Canada.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • frogg
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Why am I‘m told that I’m not logged in when I am?

    Report Post » frogg  
  • cristo52
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Homeland security at work. Does Janet Neopolitan know she’s as laughable as Chris Matthews?

    Report Post »  
  • Gripes
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:11pm

    We also need to crack down on Vegemite coming in from Australia and New Zealand. Vegemite has folate (folic acid, a nutrient that Americans are seriously deficient in) and, being that it isn’t a bread, that makes Vegemite illegal in the United States.

    Report Post »  
    • aBritishTenther
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:08pm

      plus, Vegamite is nasty and tastes like it would be better for driveway repair.

      Report Post »  
  • caleejr
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:10pm

    let’s stop and fine US citizens for bringing in chocolate – but we’ll allow mexican drug runners being in heroin, cocaine, and pot.

    Makes complete sense

    Report Post » caleejr  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:14pm

      I’m digging a tunnel on the U.S/Canada border to bing in Kinder Eggs…Sshh.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:22pm

      Oh good! Gonzo is already on it. I guess I’d rather see the work go to an American.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:31pm

      And the US Government should supply Mexican drug cartels with all the guns they want, too.

      Report Post » Redwood Elf  
  • TheEDGE
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:09pm

    Darn. Canadian chocolate is really tasty. They need to hire some Mexicans to build an egg tunnel.

    Report Post » TheEDGE  
  • beket
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:03pm

    Oooh, I LOVE Kinder Eggs. Grew up on them. And, gasp, survived! Still have the toys with all the tiny parts that could kill me. Used to know someone who knew someone who smuggled them in by the case. Kept them “under the counter.” Had to say the right thing to buy one. The free market system meets civil disobedience. What a lovely pair.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:10pm

      You are lucky! How did you ever make it without Uncle Sam watching out for you?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • KevINtampa
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:01pm

    The chocolate is actually pretty tasty in these. A friend of mine brought some of these back from Europe, or at least something very similar. I wonder if he knew he was breaking the law? Fact is we’re all breaking some sort of law we are not aware of, so what’s the difference anyways. Laws these days are written to be broken but selectively enforced.

    Report Post »  
    • paulusmaximus
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:17pm

      It is resulting in a over all disrespect for authority. when a Nannie government tries to impose so may laws over it’s populous they by nature push back and as it becomes more common to ignore these stupid regulations it also becomes easier to violate other laws that are of benefit.

      Report Post » paulusmaximus  
  • Mally01
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:59am

    I don’t recall any chocolate eggs with toys being involved in any terrorist attacks or violent crimes.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:59am

    I thought Barney Fife left Mayberry for Mt. Pilot. Who knew he had become a U.S. border agent?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:59am

    I could have sworn this happened about a year ago or so. But, I checked some other sites, and they are just running the story today too. Apparently a reoccurring “crime.”

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:58am

    And I thought Canada was a nanny state…Sheesh

    Report Post » nkawtg  
    • duketurner
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:44pm

      LOL, think again. Go to any other country and you will quickly see how free THEY are compared to the US. It is crazy to be on the outside looking in when you realize what a true nanny state our country has become. So Sad! Common sense in the United States lawmaking is no existent. All the laws we needed have already been created, now they are just adding whatever they can think of just to justify their power as the Government.

      Report Post » duketurner  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:57am

    I feel safe now……..

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Wallace
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:56am

    Obviously a good use of resources. You never know when a building will come down from exploding chocolate eggs. Those little plastic toys are like shrapnel. Just imagine that suicide vest full of exploding chocolate eggs…little plastic toys ripping through a crowd of unsuspecting people.

    Good thing they are illegal.

    Report Post »  
  • Landon410
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:53am

    we can put small plastic toys in our cerial boxes but not these?

    Report Post »  
  • woodyee
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:51am

    “Cocaine, Meth, Illegal Aliens – Good!”
    “Kinder Eggs – Bad!” –

    Obammy’s Version of Border Interdiction…

    Report Post » woodyee  
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