US Customs K9 Unit Unmasks Attempt to Smuggle Bushmeat
U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Logan Airport intercepted an illegal import of four desiccated monkeys. The CBP’s K9 unit, Buddey, played a key role in the discovery, displaying the importance of such units in safeguarding public health.
By Beth Snider · February 12, 2024
An incident recently unfolded at Logan International Airport when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted an illegal importation of four desiccated monkey carcasses. The suspect, a passenger on Delta flight 225 from Paris, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was flagged during a routine CBP screening.
The CBP’s Canine (K9) unit, specifically a dog named Buddey, was instrumental in the discovery. The trained dog’s keen senses led his handler to a particular suitcase during the initial baggage check. Despite the passenger’s insistence that the bag contained only dried fish, a subsequent physical inspection unveiled the grim reality of four dehydrated monkeys.
Upon interrogation, it was revealed that the suitcase held raw or minimally processed nonhuman primate meat, often referred to as “bushmeat,” and the passenger admitted it was for personal consumption. The importation of bushmeat is strictly forbidden in the United States due to the potential health risks associated with such products.
No charges were filed against the passenger. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) was informed, and the luggage was seized. Instructions were given to Delta Airlines to either incinerate the bags or return them to France. Nearly 9 pounds of bushmeat were confiscated for the CDC and slated for destruction.
"The potential dangers posed by bringing bushmeat into the United States are real. Bushmeat can carry germs that can cause illness, including the Ebola virus. The work of CBP’s K9 unit and Agricultural Specialist were vital in preventing this potential danger from entering the U.S."
Officials recognize the important role of the K9 unit in preventing potential health hazards. The incident serves as a reminder of the stringent measures to protect against harmful substances and diseases brought into the United States.