In the first week of September, in two separate incidents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canine officers played a pivotal role in uncovering illegal activities. At Washington Dulles International Airport, Fuzz, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador, helped detect $90,535 in unreported currency from five travelers. Meanwhile, on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley, a Border Patrol K-9 team discovered 168 pounds of fentanyl, valued at $1.3 million, during a vehicle inspection.
These canine officers continue to be instrumental in safeguarding U.S. borders, detecting narcotics and currency violations, and keeping dangerous contraband off the streets.
Canine Officer Fuzz Sniffs Out Over $90K in Unreported Currency at Dulles International Airport
STERLING, Va. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, alongside their four-legged colleague, Fuzz, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, intercepted $90,535 in unreported currency from five travelers during August at Washington Dulles International Airport. CBP reminds all international travelers that while there is no limit to the amount of currency one can bring on overseas trips, federal law mandates reporting any sum over $10,000.
Fuzz, CBP’s currency detection canine, played a crucial role in identifying concealed cash during three of the five seizures. The travelers involved were either arriving or departing the U.S. from destinations like Bogota, Colombia; Doha, Qatar; Accra, Ghana; and Shanghai, China. Although the travelers provided verbal and written declarations, officers discovered unreported amounts during searches and confiscated the currency in accordance with U.S. law.
“Travelers who fail to comply with currency reporting laws risk having their money seized, missing flights, or facing criminal charges,” stated Marc Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for Washington, D.C.
CBP advises travelers to complete the FINCEN 105 currency reporting form before clearing inspections to avoid any potential delays or penalties. For more information, visit CBP’s website or follow @DFOBaltimore for updates.
Canine Officer Uncovers Fentanyl in Major Drug Bust on Interstate 8
PINE VALLEY, Calif. – A Border Patrol K-9 team in San Diego played a critical role in the seizure of 168 pounds of fentanyl during a routine checkpoint inspection on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley. The incident occurred when Border Patrol agents referred a 22-year-old U.S. citizen for further inspection. A K-9 officer, specially trained to detect narcotics and other contraband, alerted agents to the trunk of the vehicle, where they discovered nine cellophane-wrapped bags filled with suspicious blue pills.
Upon testing, the pills were confirmed to be fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $1.3 million. The driver was handed over to the San Diego Border Crime Suppression Team for prosecution, while the vehicle and narcotics were seized by U.S. Border Patrol.
“Fentanyl has become a significant contributor to the rising overdose crisis in our nation. The vigilance of our agents, including our K-9 teams, plays a vital role in keeping these dangerous substances off our streets,” said Patricia McGurk-Daniel, San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent.
This seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a multi-agency initiative aimed at combatting fentanyl trafficking. Nearly half of the 2,800 pounds of fentanyl seized by Border Patrol in Fiscal Year 2023 came from the San Diego Sector, which spans 60 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Press Releases:
San Diego Sector Border Patrol seizes fentanyl on Interstate 8