An unidentified Nigerian traveller has been fined $1,300 by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) after being caught by a police dog after entering the North American country with undeclared food and meat products. 

The border agency disclosed in a statement on Friday that the passenger was nabbed by Detector Dog Dharla after landing at the Toronto Pearson Airport on a flight from Nigeria on June 19. 

Authorities stated that both the food and meat products sniffed out by the dog weighed 37 kilogrammes. The package was subsequently seized by officers while the suspect was issued with the monetary fine. 

“#DetectorDog Dharla intercepted over 37 kg of undeclared food and animal products from a traveller arriving at #YYZ from Nigeria. The items were seized and the traveller was fined $1,300,” the CBSA said in the statement.

News outlet CP24 reported that the spokesperson for the CBSA confirmed that the goods confiscated from the unidentified traveller contained meat from guinea fowl, goat as well as cowhide and powdered milk. 

Dog Dharla has reportedly been working with the border agency since March 2023 and helped in operations uncovering drugs, guns, money and food at the airport. 

The CBSA said by law travellers coming into Canada are required to declare all food, plant and animal products in their possession, including cooked or raw meats, hides, skins, trophies, milk, fat, butter, cheese, eggs, fish, and seafood.

Travellers are also mandated to reveal if they are bringing fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, trees, houseplants, wood, firewood, roots, vines, herbs, flowers, insects, bulbs and soil into the country. 

“You are required by law to declare all food, plant and animal products you bring with you into Canada,” the agency said. 

The CBSA is also empowered to impose sanctions ranging from seizure of products, a monetary fine up to $1,300 and prosecution of individuals found guilty of violating the law. 

“Inadmissible goods may be confiscated and disposed of, or ordered removed from Canada. Travellers may also be held responsible for any costs related to the disposal, quarantine, treatment or removal of these items from Canada.

“Travellers may not realize the hazards associated with food, plant and animal products. These products may carry invasive species and diseases and may cause risks to Canada’s food supply, economy, environment and our health,” the CBSA stated on its website. 

It was not the first time a detector dog identified a passenger arriving from Nigeria attempting to smuggle meat products into Canada. 

The Peoples Gazette reported in April that Detector Dog Moby caught a Nigerian traveller with jerky of chicken and spiced grilled meat (kilishi).