[markem]

Beetles can survive freezing, but it isn't common as long as the freezing step is done properly. There is a sticky here about that, you may want to forward it to your friend to see if perhaps he shorted the time in the freezer (easy to do).

I have had cigars with beetle holes when they arrived but no new ones once the freezer treatment was done. I check boxes and cabs after freezing in case there are any beetle holes. I move those sticks to the top to smoke them first. Then, if other sticks show holes, I know that it is post freeze.