Border protection K9 sniffs out smuggled mummified monkeys from Congo at Boston airport

BOSTON (TND) — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) K9 was able to sniff out an unusual package from a person returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo -- mummified monkeys.

CBP agents said the traveler was attempting to illegally import four deceased and dehydrated monkeys into the United States on Jan. 8 at Boston's Logan International Airport.

K9 Buddey alerted his handlers to the luggage during a screening of Delta flight 225 from Paris, agents added.

When the passenger was questioned about the bag they said it only had dried fish but an officer was able to identify the dead and dehydrated bodies of four monkeys after a physical inspection.

"Raw or minimally processed meat from wild animals in some areas of the world, including Africa, is referred to as "bushmeat," CBP stated. "Bushmeat comes from a variety of wild animals, including bats, nonhuman primates (monkeys), cane rats (grasscutters), and duiker (antelope), and may pose a communicable disease risk. These types of meats are not allowed entry into the United States."

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) was immediately contacted and it was requested that the luggage containing the bushmeat be seized and that Delta Airlines either destroy or return the bags to France, a news release said.

"The potential dangers posed by bringing bushmeat into the United States are real," Area Port Director – CBP Boston, Julio Caravia said. "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."