A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sniffer dog named Rowdy has helped authorities intercept 72 pounds of yams, vegetables and spices from Ghana at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

Rowdy alerted CBP officers to a bag containing the agricultural products during an inspection at the airport.

According to CBP, the items, which included yams, vegetables and spices, are prohibited from entering the United States and were stopped at the border following the K9 alert.

The incident was disclosed in a post 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?”

The interception highlights the role of CBP’s agricultural inspection operations in screening baggage and preventing prohibited agricultural products from entering the United States.

CBP deploys specially trained dogs at ports of entry to assist officers in detecting agricultural products and other items that may pose risks to U.S. agriculture and the environment.