Border Agents Celebrate Huge Mexican Sausage Bust

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents seized a massive haul of prohibited Mexican sausages inside a vehicle arriving from Mexico.
U.S.-Mexico border agents at the Presidio Port of Entry confiscated 748 pounds of Mexican bologna.
CBP officers also discovered more than 280 containers of undeclared prescription medications stashed inside the vehicle during an inspection on September 23.
Among the substances found was tramadol, a Schedule IV-controlled substance under federal law.
In addition to Tramadol, officers seized a variety of other medications, including Fentermina, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Farmapram, Ampigran, and Sulfamethoxazole, all of which were concealed in an attempt to bypass legal declaration requirements.
Officers discovered the meat and prescription drugs after encountering a 43-year-old woman driving a 2023 GMC Yukon, who had just arrived from Mexico.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, declared a cooked meal during the inspection.
During further examinations, CBP agriculture specialists removed several suitcases from the vehicle.
According to the CBP, the suitcases seemed heavier than normal.
The agriculture specialists opened one suitcase and 40 rolls of Mexican bologna inside the suitcases.
Mexican bologna is classified as a prohibited product in the U.S. because it is made from pork and poses a risk of introducing foreign animal diseases to the American pork industry. These diseases could potentially harm livestock and disrupt the nation’s agricultural economy.
Per USDA regulations, CBP agriculture specialists destroyed the bologna.
The driver was issued with a $1,000 fine.
CBP officers also seized the conveyance and more than $7,600 in concealed currency, as well as the prescription medication found.
“We stress that it is important that travelers educate themselves on what products are allowed to be legally entered from abroad. And even if they believe an item is allowed, travelers should still declare all items they are transporting to the U.S. to avoid fines and penalties,” said CBP Presidio Port Director Benito Reyes, Jr. “The concern with pork products is that they have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases that can have devastating effects to the U.S. economy and to our agriculture industry.”
The discovery highlights ongoing efforts by CBP to prevent the illegal importation of prohibited meats and controlled substances across the U.S.-Mexico border.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security coordinate efforts 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 a fine for failure to declare.
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