An agriculture canine named “Harlee” helped protect the U.S. during an inspection at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso, Texas, on March 28.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists seized 22 large rolls of prohibited pork bologna, in addition to a controlled medication during the encounter. The bologna was seized and destroyed by CBP per USDA regulations.
CBP reports the discovery was made just after 2 a.m. when a 52-year-old male U.S. citizen resident of Albuquerque, N.M., presented himself for inspection via the vehicle lanes at the port.
“After obtaining a negative declaration for fruits, vegetables, and meat products, the driver was referred for a secondary agriculture inspection,” the agency says. “During the secondary inspection, CBP agriculture canine “Harlee” alerted to the rear cargo area of the vehicle.”
That’s when agriculture specialists discovered 22 rolls of bologna hidden beneath equipment in the rear of the vehicle. The agents also found 60 undeclared Tramadol tablets in the center console of the vehicle. The driver was issued a $1,000 promissory note for the prescription medication violation. Tramadol is a schedule IV-controlled substance.
“The seizure marks the second time in two months the same individual was caught attempting to smuggle bologna from Mexico to the U.S. at the El Paso port of entry,” CBP reports. “In January, CBP agriculture specialist seized 55 rolls of undeclared bologna from the man. He was assessed a civil penalty in that case and the contraband meat was seized and destroyed.”
The bologna smuggling case has been referred to USDA Investigative and Enforcement Services who enforce alleged violations related to animal and plant issues, the agency explains. If found guilty, the individual could be assessed up to a $10,000 penalty.
“Pork products have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases to the U.S. which can have a devastating impact to the U.S. economy and to our agriculture industry,” CBP El Paso director field operations Hector A. Mancha, said in a release. “It is always best for travelers to declare any items acquired abroad to help CBP stop the introduction of potentially harmful products.”
SDA and the Department of Homeland Security are partnering in the effort to protect American agriculture against the introduction of pests and diseases at the nation’s ports of entry. Undeclared prohibited agriculture items will be confiscated and can result in the issuance of a civil penalty for failure to declare.
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