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Snakes On A Plane: International Traveler Busted Importing Pounds Of Meat At Dulles Airport

A beagle assigned to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport made a curious discovery when a passenger tried to bring snake meat into the country, officials say.

CBP found this snake meat in the baggage of a traveler from Equatorial Guinea.

CBP found this snake meat in the baggage of a traveler from Equatorial Guinea.

Photo Credit: US Customs and Border Protection
Freddie, of CBP's Beagle Brigade, sniffed agriculture products in the traveler's baggage.

Freddie, of CBP's Beagle Brigade, sniffed agriculture products in the traveler's baggage.

Photo Credit: US Customs and Border Protection

A traveler coming into Virginia from Equatorial Guinea drew the attention of Freddie, a 4-year-old beagle, leading to CBP agriculture specialists to discover two pounds of snake meat, which is a delight in his home country, but prohibited from being brought into the country.

The snake meat was confiscated, which was then inspected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and it was ultimately determined that "the importation of snake meat without the necessary permits or documentation violated several laws and regulations." 

Inspectors then seized the meat.

"This seizure exemplifies the extraordinary competence of our Beagle Brigade in protecting our national vital agricultural resources by detecting prohibited plant and animal products packed in traveler baggage," Marc Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, DC, stated. 

"CBP agriculture specialists remain committed to working with our partners at the USFWS and US Department of Agriculture to ensure that animal and plant products that travelers bring to the United States fully comply with our nation’s laws and relevant international conventions." 

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