Pretty but deadly: Chinese customs officers stop traveller returning from Ethiopia with bag of toxic beans
The toxin contained in jequirity beans, also called rosary peas, is similar to deadly ricin, derived from the beans of the castor oil plant. Both plants are native to Hong Kong
Customs officials in southern China have stopped a traveller returning from Ethiopia with a bag containing hundreds of highly toxic jequirity beans, according to mainland media.
The man was carrying 100g of the seeds when he was stopped by inspectors at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province, the Southern Daily reported.
The hard red and black seeds are attractive but highly poisonous and found mainly found in India. They are native to Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong.
The seeds are popular in ornaments and jewellery or even rosary beads, hence one of their other common names, rosary peas.
The passenger arriving in Guangzhou told airport staff that he picked the seeds from trees in Ethiopia due to their bright colour.
It’s unknown whether the man knew anything about the toxicity of the seeds, or had any idea that most countries have strict regulation about importing plants.