Sniffer dog intercepts prohibited Ghanaian food at JFK International Airport in New York

A US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sniffer dog named Rowdy has helped officers seize 72 pounds (about 33 kilograms) of yams, vegetables and spices from Ghana at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

Rowdy alerted officers to a bag containing the produce during an inspection at the airport. According to CBP, the items are prohibited from entering the United States and were stopped at the border.

The seizure was announced on X by Diane J. Sabatino, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP.

"K9 Rowdy had a busy day at JFK! He alerted to a bag from Ghana with 72 lbs of yams, veggies, and spices—all prohibited. Thanks to Rowdy, these items were stopped at the border. Who's a good dog?" she posted.

CBP deploys specially trained dogs at ports of entry to help officers detect agricultural products and other items that could pose a risk to US agriculture and the environment, as part of its baggage screening operations.