Snake Meat Seized by Customs Agents at Dulles International Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Washington Dulles International Airport recently intercepted an unusual contraband item—two pounds of snake meat—carried by a traveler arriving from Equatorial Guinea.
On September 11, 2024, Freddie, a 4-year-old beagle and CBP agriculture detector dog, alerted officers to the suspicious luggage during routine checks.
The traveler’s baggage was inspected, and inside, agents discovered over two pounds of snake meat. While snake meat is a common protein source in Equatorial Guinea, it is prohibited from being brought into the U.S. without proper documentation.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was consulted to determine the legality of the meat’s importation.
Wildlife inspectors confirmed that the traveler did not possess the necessary permits for importing the snake meat, resulting in a violation of several laws.
These included provisions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Lacey Act, both of which regulate the trade of wildlife and related products. The snake meat was subsequently seized by CBP in coordination with USFWS.
“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,” said Marc Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C.
“Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists remain committed to working with our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. 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.”
The seizure underscores the importance of strict adherence to U.S. agricultural and wildlife import regulations, which are designed to protect both the environment and public health.
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