EL PASO, TX — 14 large rolls of Mexican bologna, weighing 154 pounds, were seized on Thursday morning in El Paso, Texas.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Agriculture Specialists stopped a Chevrolet pickup at around 9 a.m. at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing. The Texas vehicle was entering the port from Mexico with a prohibited pork product, which has potential for transmitting foreign animal diseases to the U.S. pork industry.
A border protection officer spotted red rolls behind the rear seat of the truck during a primary inspection.
When questioned by officers, the driver said they were frozen rolls of turkey ham.
During a secondary exam, CBP officers identified the meat as Mexican bologna.
After the meat was seized and destroyed, officers released the driver.
"It is important that travelers understand they should declare all items they are transporting from abroad to avoid fines and penalties. A properly declared prohibited item can be abandoned at the port without consequence," said CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good.
