Photographer Taryn Simon spent 5 days taking pictures of cargo seized or detained from express mail and passengers entering the USA from abroad at Kennedy airport. Here is a selection of the most unusual things people were trying to smuggle into the United States.
Lard, Ukraine
U.S. Currency
Gold Dust, India
Mixed Fruits, Africa
Watches, China
Pigeon Medicine, South Africa
Louis Vuitton Handbags
Deer Penis, Asia
Guinea Pigs, Ecuador
Unidentified White Powder
Chicken Feet
Insect Larvae, India
Mixed Jewelry
Steroids, Pakistan
Bongs
Unidentified Mammal, Indonesia
Sugar Cane, Jamaica
Unknown Meat
Oxalis Tuberosa, Peru
Broom Corn, India
Unidentified Liquid
Pharmaceutical Pills, Pakistan
Viagra, China
Dry Khat, Kenya
South African Cycad
African Mask
Hydrocodone, India
Nesting Dolls
Cow-Dung Toothpaste, India
Piper Leaves
Heroin, India
Gemstones, Sri Lanka
Cow-Hoof Bottle, Europe
Cuban Cigars
Beef, Argentina
Date-Rape Drug, Poland
Pitcher of Salami, Eastern Europe
Bird Corpse, Indonesia
Money Orders
