Mysterious seeds are appearing in Sacramento mailboxes. Don’t plant them, officials warn

When a packet of mysterious coffee bean-like seeds came in the mail last week, Angel Casillas didn’t quite know what to make of them.

“The seeds just randomly came and I was like, ‘Uh, what is this?’” Casillas said.

A variety of mysterious and unsolicited seeds from China and other parts of Asia have been sent in neat packets to homes in the Sacramento-area and across the country, alarming local and state agriculture officials.

The California Department of Agriculture says residents who receive such a package should not open, plant, or dispose of any unsolicited seed packets, but instead should contact the office. That’s because officials fear the unknown seeds may introduce an invasive plant species to the local environment.

Sacramento and Placer county officials say local residents have received seed packets that often arrive in packaging that labels the product as jewelry or toys.

It is illegal in California for someone to ship, deliver, transport or sell agricultural or vegetable seeds that don’t comply with state regulations.

“Since the seed species are undetermined, (they) should be considered a threat,” said Placer County Agriculture Commissioner Josh Huntsinger in a statement.

Casillas, a Rosemont resident, said the package he received was addressed to him and appeared to come from Uzbekistan, purporting to contain a “bead.”

Casillas said he didn’t plant the seeds, and is unsure why he received the mysterious package in the first place. He added he recently made a purchase from Alibaba, China’s biggest online commerce company, before receiving the seeds.

The United States Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that it is investigating suspicious seeds from China.

The department believes the packages may be part of a “brushing scam” — which is when a scammer sends unsolicited items to a person, then posts fake positive customer reviews using their name to boost sales and appear credible.

“USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” the department said in a statement Tuesday.

Sacramento residents can contact the county at 916-875-6603 if they have received the mysterious seeds. Placer County Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department can be reached at placerag@placer.ca.gov or 530-889-7372.

This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 2:57 PM.