A man from Egypt faced serious consequences at Dulles Airport after attempting to smuggle over 100 pounds of undeclared food. It all unraveled when a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) beagle named Freddy alerted officials, prompting the man to kick the dog, sending him airborne.
During the incident, the individual, 70-year-old Danbayou Me Ally Mary, arrived from Cairo when Freddy detected something amiss in the luggage. In a panicked move, Mary kicked Freddy, who weighs about 25 pounds, with significant force.
CBP officials detained the accused and transferred him to the Homeland Security Authority following the incident. As they inspected his luggage, it was revealed that Mary was carrying a staggering amount of undeclared items, including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, and various other vegetables and herbs.
“We will not tolerate violence against our hardworking customs canines, especially when it involves smuggling such a massive amount of undeclared agricultural products,” stated Christine Waugh, the regional port chief. Mary later pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges related to the assault on Freddy and was deported back to Egypt soon after.
The case has drawn attention, as CBP highlighted the importance of their K9 partners in preventing illegal imports. Waugh expressed that any attack on a canine partner is considered an attack on all personnel involved in customs security. Thankfully, Freddy is expected to recover fully, despite suffering injuries to his right rib area, and is back on patrol.
Veterinary costs for Freddy’s care will also be covered by Mary, underscoring the commitment to ensuring their canine agents receive the necessary support.
