Three caught smuggling meat in airports

BALTIMORE (WMAR) - While they're not terrorists, some could smuggle in something that could be economically devastating.

Customs and Border Protection specialists at both Washington Dulles and Baltimore Washington International airports fined two travelers for trying to smuggle in meat and fruit in their suitcases. Both were fined $300.

The BWI passenger, who arrived from Jamaica Wednesday, concealed four guavas inside the lining of her baggage and two peppers inside the liner of her suitcase.

The Dulles passenger, who arrived from Mongolia Tuesday, was even more creative, concealing 12 pounds of raw beef and pork sausage inside juice boxes and other food containers.

A third passenger, who arrived to Dulles Tuesday, from Cameroon, failed to honestly declare 4 pounds, 6 ounces of beef that specials discovered inside her luggage and was given a $300 fine.

“It is very alarming that passengers are taking extreme efforts to conceal agriculture products that should be declared during the Customs and Border Protection arrivals inspection,” said Michael Lovejoy, Director, CBP Baltimore Field Office. “These are very serious threats because of the potentially severe agriculture and economic consequences that plant and animal diseases pose. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists take their job of protecting America’s agriculture very seriously. ”