Agriculture detector at a U.S. border crossing has led to the discovery of nearly 100 pounds of prohibited items within luggage arriving from Thailand.
The detector alerted officers to a suitcase containing 50 pounds of raw meat, 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants, and approximately 16 pounds of a Bengal monitor lizard.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard, and agriculture specialists continue to inspect international luggage for prohibited items that can introduce pests, animal diseases, or invasive species into the United States.
A separate case at the San Ysidro Port of Entry resulted in the seizure of approximately 436 fish, including rockfish, lingcod, sheephead, and yellowtail, after officers determined the three individuals in the vehicle did not have valid Mexican fishing licenses.
The agency seized the catch as evidence and is pursuing charges related to the alleged unlawful take of fish in Mexico, fishing without valid licenses, and illegally importing the fish into the United States.
