U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Presidio, Texas, border crossing intercepted a 43-year-old American woman attempting to smuggle over 700 pounds of prohibited pork bologna into the country from Mexico. The illegal bologna was hidden in suitcases within her vehicle.
Upon conducting a secondary search of the vehicle, CBP officers discovered 40 rolls of Mexican pork bologna, weighing 748 pounds in total. The woman, who initially declared only a cooked meal, had failed to report the smuggled meat, which is banned from entering the U.S. due to concerns over diseases that could potentially harm the American pork industry.
According to Presidio Port Director Benito Reyes Jr., “Pork products like this have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases that could devastate the U.S. economy and agriculture.”
The officers also found 280 boxes of undeclared prescription medications and over $7,600 in hidden cash during their inspection. The woman’s vehicle was seized, and she was issued a $1,000 civil penalty for failing to declare the items she was transporting.
CBP has stressed the importance of declaring all items brought into the U.S., noting that failure to do so can lead to significant fines, confiscations, or further legal penalties. The confiscated bologna was destroyed as part of CBP’s ongoing efforts to protect U.S. agriculture.
With ongoing concerns over the safety and security of U.S. borders, the case highlights the need for vigilance in inspecting both travelers and goods entering the country, particularly with regard to agricultural products that could pose significant risks to industries vital to the American economy.
