A shocking seizure by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of Santa Teresa, N.M., on Aug. 25 uncovered 90 pounds of prohibited pork bologna and 4,600 Tramadol pills.
A 34-year-old female U.S. citizen arrived to the U.S. from Mexico via vehicle lanes, CBP reports. After giving a negative declaration the primary CBP officer, she was referred for a secondary inspection. The secondary inspection revealed 92 bottles containing 4,600 pills of Tramadol, a schedule IV-controlled substance. CBP says the search also revealed 10 rolls of pork bologna stashed under the seats of the vehicle.
Mexican bologna is a prohibited product because it is made from pork and has the potential for introducing foreign animal diseases to the U.S. pork industry, CBP explains. The driver was issued a civil penalty and the bologna was seized and destroyed by CBP agriculture specialists. The medication was also seized.
“It is important that travelers educate themselves on what products are allowed to be legally entered. And even if they believe an item is allowed travelers should still declare all items they are transporting from abroad to avoid fines and penalties,” CBP Santa Teresa Port Director Tony Hall said in a release.
Why It Matters
As the threat of foreign animal diseases like African swine fever (ASF) move closer to U.S. borders, CBP agents are on the lookout for illegal pork products. ASF is a deadly virus of pigs that poses no risk to humans or food safety, but has the ability to devastate the U.S. pork industry.
CBP agents enforce hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies ranging from USDA to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These agencies outline what items are considered unsafe and not allowed to enter the country.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security are partners in the effort to protect American agriculture against the introduction of pests and diseases at our 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,” the agency said in a release.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Federal Agents Seize Mooncakes at JFK Airport
Feds Seize Prohibited Fresh Pork at Laredo Port of Entry
CBP Ag Specialists Block Bologna at Border Crossing
ASF: Biosecurity Is Our Responsibility
Senators Push for More “Bark” to Keep Foreign Animal Disease Out
CBP Casts Wide Net to Assess African Swine Fever Threats to the U.S.
Federal Agents Prevent Smuggled Animal Products from Entering the U.S.
