U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 14 rolls of Mexican bologna from a driver attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico at the El Paso, Texas checkpoint on Thursday, according to a press release issued Friday.
Although the unidentified driver did not have drugs or other contraband hidden in the cold cuts, agriculture specialists confiscated the meat because pork items are prohibited due to their potential for containing foreign animal diseases.
The driver of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado attempted to cross the Bridge of the Americas international crossing on Thursday morning. The bologna carrier did not identify the goods when officials asked if there were any agriculture products in the car.
During a second exam of the SUV, the driver conceded there were 14 rolls of bologna hidden underneath the backseat.
Although the contraband was seized and the driver was let off the hook, border officials issued a warning to others who would seek to smuggle pork goods into the U.S.
“Travelers should understand that they can avoid civil penalties by declaring all agricultural items they are importing from Mexico. If the item they declare is prohibited it can be abandoned at the port without consequence,” CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good said in a statement. “Had the driver not declared the product he would have faced an administrative penalty as high as $1,000.”
