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Beagle scores big on first day at Atlanta airport with U.S. Customs and Border Protection – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA — The newest canine member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) team had a very first day on the job at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Flash, a rescued beagle and the latest addition to CBP’s Beagle Squad, identified and helped seize food items prohibited from travelers.

Flash was trained to detect various agricultural products that pose potential threats to American agriculture.

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On May 10, Flash alerted a CBP agriculture specialist regarding the luggage of a passenger arriving from Nigeria.

CBP discovered prohibited items inside the luggage, including infested beans, cowhide, herbs, soup mixes, seeds, wood and yams.

Flash also discovered fresh fruits, vegetables and meat products from other passengers.

Items believed to contain pests or diseases that could threaten U.S. agriculture were seized and destroyed.

The Beagle Brigade helps CBP prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases into the country.

CBP said the use of agricultural detection dogs is a critical part of its strategy to protect the nation’s agriculture and natural resources.

On a typical day, CBP agricultural specialists across the country seize 2,677 prohibited plants, meats, animal by-products and soils, and intercept 240 pests.

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