A traveler flying into Los Angeles International Airport got busted with a suitcase packed with nearly 100 pounds of banned agricultural products — including 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard parts — after a sharp-nosed K-9 sniffed out the haul.
US Customs and Border Protection officers seized 99 pounds of prohibited agricultural and wildlife products from luggage that arrived on a flight from Thailand Monday after CBP K-9 Maisy alerted to the bag.
“If you discovered all this in a suitcase, wouldn’t you be this happy?” CBP wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the beaming canine.
K9 Maisy busted 99 pounds of illegal goods CBP
Three people illegally tried importing fish California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The agency said Maisy’s alert led officers to “50 lbs of meat (including raw), 33 lbs of mangoes, garlic, bamboo and banana plants.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also “took custody of 16 lbs of Bengal monitor lizard,” CBP said.
“Quite a haul Good Job Officer Maisy. Don’t Bring Contraband Food into the United States! or the Beagle Patrol will seize it. That includes meat. Meat is a big No-No,” one user commented.
K9 Maisy is a Beagle trained to detect agricultural products at LAX.
Officials have not released the identify of the individual or if the traveler will face any charges for bringing in illegal goods.
Police also seized nearly 400 fish at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County in July 1 California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Two large coolers carrying fish were busted California Department of Fish and Wildlife
This incident comes after a similar situation happened at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County in early July.
Officials seized hundreds of fish from three people who did not even have valid fishing licenses.
“The officers located two large coolers that contained approximately 436 fish of a variety of species including rockfish, lingcod, sheephead, and yellowtail. Mexico’s fishing laws only allow for licensed fishermen to be in possession of 20 fish per person, of these species,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.
A CBP K-9 named Merla also discovered 100 pork and chicken sandwiches that were illegally brought in at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in May.
Two duffel bags appeared on the baggage carousel when Merla busted two passengers from Thailand.
“Though it might be stale at this point, lettuce remind you that you must declare agriculture items (including meats!) when entering the US. CBP K9 Merla discovered 100 pork and chicken sandwiches in luggage. All were destroyed,” CBP captioned in a post.
