CBP and Wildlife Authorities Thwart Illegal Wildlife and Fish Importation

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture detector dog Maisy played a crucial role in foiling the illegal entry of prohibited items. Nearly 100 pounds of meat, plant, and wildlife products were found inside luggage arriving from Thailand, as reported by authorities. Maisy alerted officers to a suitcase containing 50 pounds of meat, including raw meat. Additionally, 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants, and approximately 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard were discovered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard.

CBP shared a photo of Maisy with the unusual haul, expressing a lighthearted note about the find, ‘If you discovered all this in a suitcase, wouldn’t you be this happy?’

CBP agriculture detector dog Maisy poses with seized prohibited meat, plants, and wildlife products found in luggage arriving from Thailand during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Facebook)

CBP agriculture specialists routinely check international luggage for prohibited items to prevent pests, animal diseases, or invasive species from entering the United States.

In another incident, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inspected a vehicle at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. They discovered 436 fish, including rockfish, lingcod, sheephead, and yellowtail.

A CDFW officer examines seized fish during an inspection at San Ysidro Port of Entry, investigating alleged illegal fish importation from Mexico. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife via Facebook)

Three individuals in the vehicle lacked valid Mexican fishing licenses, and authorities suspected they intended to sell the fish in the U.S. The CDFW confiscated the catch as evidence, with charges being pursued related to unlawful fish taking in Mexico, fishing without valid licenses, and illegal fish importation into the U.S.

Fish fillets seized by CDFW officers during an inspection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, displayed inside a cooler. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife via Facebook)

Jasmine Baehr, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, covers topics such as politics, military issues, legal debates on life and family policy, faith, and culture.