U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog Maisy alerted officers to a suitcase containing nearly 100 pounds of prohibited items arriving from Thailand. The seizure included approximately 50 pounds of meat, 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants, and about 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard. Agriculture specialists routinely inspect international luggage to prevent the introduction of pests, animal diseases, or invasive species into the United States.
In a separate incident at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inspected a vehicle and found about 436 fish. The individuals in the vehicle reportedly lacked valid Mexican fishing licenses and intended to sell the fish in the U.S. The fish were seized as evidence, and charges are pending related to alleged unlawful fishing in Mexico, fishing without licenses, and illegal importation into the United States.