Officials seized nearly 300 pounds of illegal yak meat, dung pods and seeds coming through JFK Airport.

  • Banned yak meat found hidden in sweaters, pants, other clothing
  • Yak meat could be connected to foot-and-mouth disease

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents said the items were shipped from Nepal and hidden in sweaters, pants and other clothing.

Yak meat is illegal in the U.S. because of concerns it could be infected with foot-and-mouth disease.

The infectious and sometimes fatal illness affects animals with cloven hooves, and officials said it can spread quickly and cause significant economic damage.

Certain seeds are also banned because they can potentially contaminate other plants.

It's not clear who is responsible for the shipment.