INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A suspicious seed package from China possibly linked to an online scam was delivered to a residence Thursday. The package was found not to be dangerous by fire rescue crews and disposed of, officials said.
Indian River County Fire Rescue crews responded to reports of a suspicious package about 2:30 p.m. Thursday at a home in the 1300 block of 36th Avenue, Vero Beach. A resident opened the packaging and saw plastic bags. Inside were seeds and a grayish substance determined to be fertilizer, Battalion Chief Roger Dion said.
Hundreds of residents across the U.S. have received free and unsolicited seeds from China through mail in what authorities said might be an online money-making scam aiming to increase online product sales through fake reviews. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and China are working on a joint investigation into the mass shipments of garden seeds into the country.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office disposed of the seeds delivered to the area, Dion said. Sheriff’s officials were not immediately available for comment.
At least one other resident in the county reported receiving seed packages from China. USDA officials said they aren’t aware of any health risks to humans from the seeds, but warned residents not to plant them.
Those with questions on what they should do if they receive seed packages from China should visit the USDA website.