EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Border authorities destroyed nearly 200 pounds of bologna that they seized at a New Mexico border crossing.
Agricultural specialists confiscated 22 rolls of the Mexican lunch meat on Feb. 7 at the Columbus Port of Entry, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.
A 49-year-old resident of Albuquerque allegedly hid some of the bologna in the hatchback of a Nissan Rogue and inside some luggage.
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 officials say.
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“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 Columbus Port Director Tony Hall said in a statement.
The driver was fined $500.
