U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agricultural experts seized more than two pounds of snake meat at Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia after it arrived from Equatorial Guinea last month.
On September 11, 2024, CBP agricultural sniffer dog Freddy, a 4-year-old beagle, alerted officials to the luggage of a traveler arriving at the airport after flying from a West African country.
After receiving Freddie's report, investigators searched his luggage and found more than 2 pounds of snake meat.
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Freddy the beagle, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialist, sniffed a bag containing more than two pounds of snake meat at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
CBP said snake meat is a routine source of protein in Equatorial Guinea. However, importing snake meat into the United States is prohibited under the Agriculture Act.
CBP experts seized the meat and spoke with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wildlife experts about the discovery.
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Freddy the beagle, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialist, sniffed a bag containing more than two pounds of snake meat at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
The USFWS regulates the importation of wild animals and has determined that snake meat lacks the necessary permits and documentation to bring it into the United States. The USFWS advised that it violated several laws, including the (CITES) Wildlife and Lacey Act.
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Freddy the beagle, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialist, sniffed a bag containing more than two pounds of snake meat at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
CBP eventually seized the snake's meat and turned it over to wildlife inspectors the next day.
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“This seizure demonstrates the extraordinary ability of our Beagle Brigade to protect our nation's vital agricultural resources by detecting prohibited plant and animal products packed in travelers' luggage. ,” said Mark Calixto, CBP Regional Port Director, Washington, D.C. Regional Ports. Prepared statement. “Customs and Border Protection agricultural experts work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. “We remain committed to continuing to work with our partners in the ministry.” ”
