A trained U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detection dog has helped officers intercept 72 pounds of yams, vegetables and spices brought from Ghana into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
The K9, identified as Rowdy, alerted officers to a passenger bag containing the agricultural products during an inspection at the airport.
CBP said the items were among agricultural products prohibited from entering the United States and were seized following the canine alert.
Diane J. Sabatino, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP, disclosed the interception in a post on X, praising Rowdy for identifying the prohibited items.
The seizure highlights the role of CBP’s agricultural inspection teams in screening baggage and intercepting plant and food products that may pose risks to U.S. agriculture and the environment.
Specially trained CBP dogs are deployed at U.S. ports of entry to assist officers in detecting agricultural products and other restricted items carried by travellers.
The latest interception at JFK underscores the scrutiny applied to agricultural products arriving in passenger luggage, including items brought from Ghana.
