Newark, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists have been busy intercepting smuggled agriculture goods during the month of January. CBP continues to increase its enforcement efforts to protect the American agriculture industry, crops, food supply, livestock and economy.

Newark area agriculture specialists conducted a month long enforcement operation focused on intercepting prohibited agriculture products entering commerce via passenger baggage. Agriculture specialists made 513 seizures of prohibited/regulated agriculture products, resulting in $118, 075 in fines being assessed. Several violators intercepted were second time offenders who were issued a penalty for $500. Hundreds of other passengers who were transporting prohibited/regulated agriculture products avoided penalties by declaring the items. One such passenger was transporting 100 hatching eggs utilizing a United States Department of Agriculture permit that was issued by Veterinary Services to another permit holder.

Newark’s Agriculture Specialists K-9 Team was a primary part of the successful effort. The Agriculture K-9 Team had a remarkably high proficiency rate and a correspondingly high seizure rate.

During subsequent inspection of the seized items, CBP agriculture specialists discovered 431 pests or plant diseases. Additionally, two of the pests discovered were first time finds in the United States and two were first time finds in the Port of Newark.

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.

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