A Nigerian traveller arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport has been fined by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) after being caught with over 40 kilograms of undeclared jerky and spiced grilled meat, commonly known as kilishi, a popular snack in northern Nigeria. The discovery was made on Friday when a detector dog named Moby sniffed out the hidden meat package inside the passenger’s luggage. The CBSA confirmed the seizure and imposed a fine, though the individual’s identity was not disclosed.
The agency stated that the traveller was required by law to declare all food, plant, and animal products brought into Canada. This includes cooked or raw meats, hides, skins, dairy products, eggs, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, wood, soil, and other related items. Failure to declare such goods can lead to penalties, including seizure of the items, fines up to $1,300, and potential prosecution. The CBSA also noted that travellers may be held responsible for disposal, quarantine, or removal costs associated with prohibited goods.
The agency emphasized the risks posed by undeclared food and plant products, which can carry invasive species, diseases, and pathogens that threaten Canada’s food supply, economy, environment, and public health. These regulations are in place to protect the country’s agricultural and natural resources from contamination and disease outbreaks. The CBSA’s social media post highlighted the incident, stating, “#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 news sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians recognizing the confiscated meat as kilishi. One Instagram user, dat_legal_diva, wrote, “Immediately I saw the picture I screamed ‘kilishi’!!! I knew it must be a Nigerian before I even looked at the caption.” Another user, @_gockss, joked, “If that dog try chop am small e no go ever detect am again, the pepper go make am craze small,” referencing the spicy nature of the snack. @chipsyofficial expressed surprise at the quantity, commenting, “40kg of kilishi. That’s crazy. Dried out kilishi is light asf. So to gather 40kg of it. Jesus.”
Some Nigerians, like @princekingsleyy, criticized the traveller’s actions and called for stricter consequences. “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. The incident serves as a reminder to Nigerian travellers and others planning to enter Canada that compliance with customs regulations is mandatory and non-negotiable. Future enforcement actions may continue to target undeclared food items, especially those commonly transported by Nigerian nationals.
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