see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Chicago — On January 9, 2008, at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists canine handler, with the assistance of her canine partner discovered guavas, a prohibited food product, that were enclosed in sealed tin cans.

CBP agriculture canine "Dixie" alerted on a passenger’s checked baggage that arrived from Frankfort, Germany. The passenger had not declared any agriculture items or food on their written declaration, but did admit to having the guavas during an interview with the CBP canine handler. Further inspection revealed that the passenger had concealed the eight guavas in two sealed tin cans. The fresh fruit was confiscated and destroyed.

CBP agriculture canines can detect fruits, vegetables, meats or other prohibited items that may carry animal, pests, or plant diseases entering the United States, intentionally or by accident, which can cause serious damage to America's crops, livestock, pets, environment and economy. Provided that the Chicago port of entry is located in the heart of America’s breadbasket adds extra importance to ensuring that these products do not enter the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations in Chicago, David Murphy states, “This is another example of the lengths that people will go to smuggle prohibited or restricted items into the U.S. for consumption without taking into consideration the serious potential for harm to U.S. agriculture and our economy. This outstanding detection by our CBP agriculture canine detecting this prohibited item enclosed within sealed cans is evidence that our agriculture canines are doing a great job in protecting this country.”

CBP agricultural specialists have extensive training and experience in agricultural and biological inspection. Their historic mission of preventing the introduction of harmful pests into the United States provides CBP with the expertise to recognize and prevent the entry of organisms that could be used for biological warfare or terrorism.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.