In a recent incident at Washington Dulles International Airport, an Egyptian traveler found himself in legal trouble after a confrontation with a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canine.
The traveler, identified as Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, was apprehended after he violently kicked a CBP agriculture detector dog named Freddie. The altercation occurred when Freddie, a five-year-old beagle, detected over one hundred pounds of undeclared agricultural products in Marie's luggage. The force of the kick was so severe that it sent the 25-pound dog airborne.
According to Gateway Pundit, Marie, aged 70, faced swift legal action following the incident. He was arrested, charged, and subsequently pled guilty to harming animals used in law enforcement, as per federal statute 18USC1368.
A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, sentenced Marie to time served and ordered him to cover the veterinary expenses for Freddie's injuries, which included contusions to the dog's right forward rib area. Marie was deported back to Egypt shortly thereafter, boarding a flight at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia took charge of prosecuting the case. The incident unfolded as CBP officers, along with Freddie and his handler, were conducting routine inspections of baggage from passengers arriving from Cairo, Egypt. Upon Freddie's alert to Marie's suitcase, the CBP canine handler initiated questioning, which led to the violent response from Marie. CBP officers quickly intervened, restraining Marie and handing him over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for prosecution.
A thorough examination of Marie's luggage, prompted by Freddie's alert, revealed a significant haul of prohibited items. The contraband included 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers, and bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds, and a pound of herbs. All these agricultural products were seized as they were not permitted entry into the United States.
Christine Waugh, CBPs Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., expressed her disapproval of the attack on Freddie, stating, Being caught deliberately smuggling well over one hundred pounds of undeclared and prohibited agriculture products does not give one permission to violently assault a defenseless Customs and Border Protection beagle. We rely heavily on our K9 partners and Freddie was just doing his job. Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and CBP will continue to work with our investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and severe justice to perpetrators.
This incident underscores the critical role that CBP's canine units play in safeguarding U.S. borders against the illegal entry of agricultural products. The swift legal proceedings and deportation of Marie serve as a reminder of the consequences faced by those who attempt to undermine the integrity of U.S. customs regulations.
As the nation grapples with border security challenges, the importance of maintaining robust enforcement measures remains paramount.
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