Searches (by way of sniffer dogs or even hand searches) are not uncommon in some ports. Despite being repeatedly admonished not to take food ashore in South America, I recall lining up to have backpacks and purses searched by local authorities on shore. When people realized what was going on, they jettisoned the food. I remember the site of discarded apples bobbing in the water after panicked cruisers tossed them away before getting to the search desk.