Agriculture detector K9 Maisy has made a significant discovery at a U.S. port of entry, alerting officers to a prohibited haul of meat, plants, and wildlife products in a suitcase arriving from Thailand.
The detector identified the items, which included 50 pounds of raw meat, 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants, and approximately 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken custody of the monitor lizard, a protected species.
CBP agriculture specialists inspect international luggage regularly to prevent the introduction of pests, animal diseases, or invasive species into the United States.
In a separate incident, officers working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration inspected a vehicle at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and found approximately 436 fish, including rockfish, lingcod, sheephead, and yellowtail.
The three people in the vehicle did not have valid Mexican fishing licenses, and it is alleged that they were bringing the fish into the United States to sell.
The agency seized the catch as evidence and charges are being pursued in connection with the alleged unlawful take of fish in Mexico, fishing without valid licenses, and illegally importing the fish into the United States.
