An unidentified Nigerian who arrived the Toronto Pearson International Airport has been fined by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) after the traveller was caught with over 40 kilograms of undeclared jerky of chicken and spiced grilled meat (kilishi) popular in the northern part of Nigeria.
The CBSA disclosed on Friday that the individual was exposed by a detector dog named Moby, who sniffed out a large meat package hidden inside the passenger’s luggage to escape officers at the port of entry.
The federal agency which did not name the passenger noted that the individual was fined and added that the luggage belonged to a traveller from Nigeria.
The CBSA stated, “#DetectorDog Moby intercepted over 40 kg of undeclared beef and chicken in the #GTA, found in a traveller’s luggage arriving from Nigeria. The food products were seized and the traveller was fined.”
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.
The seizures generated funny reactions from some Nigerians on social media who also identified the confiscated beef as kilishi, a popular Nigerian dried and seasoned cow or camel meat snack.
“Immediately I saw the picture I screamed “kilishi”!!! I knew it must be a Nigerian before I even looked at the caption,” an Instagram with the user dat_legal_diva posted.
Also, another commenter, @_gockss joked that if dog Moby had tasted the meat, it would never be easy to detect any kilishi hidden in a luggage in future because of the pepper effect.
The commenter stated, “If that dog try chop am small e no go ever detect am again, the pepper go make am craze small.”
The quantity of the meat shocked @chipsyofficial, who commented “40kg of kilishi That’s crazy. Dried out kilishi is light asf. So to gather 40kg of it. Jesus.”
Meanwhile, @princekingsleyy expressed displeasure with the action of the traveller over failure to obey the rules, arguing that a jail term would have been better to serve as a deterrence to aspiring violators.
“They’ve been informed and warned but still decided to smuggle it in. She should be jailed to serve as a deterrent to others who have intentions of doing it,” he said.
