A 43-year-old U.S. citizen was apprehended at the Presidio Port of Entry in Texas for attempting to smuggle over 700 pounds of Mexican bologna and more than 280 boxes of undeclared prescription medications across the Southern Border. The suspect, driving a 2023 GMC Yukon, was stopped upon her arrival from Mexico and initially declared only a cooked meal during inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Upon further examination during a secondary inspection, CBP agriculture specialists discovered several heavy suitcases in the vehicle. Upon opening one of the suitcases, they found 40 rolls of Mexican bologna, totaling 748 pounds. Mexican bologna is prohibited due to its pork content, which poses a risk of introducing foreign animal diseases to the U.S. pork industry.
CBP Presidio Port Director Benito Reyes, Jr. emphasized the importance of travelers educating themselves on permissible items for entry into the U.S. and the necessity of declaring all transported items to avoid penalties. He highlighted the potential economic and agricultural consequences of introducing foreign animal diseases through pork products.
In addition to the illegal bologna, over 280 boxes of undeclared medications were discovered hidden within various panels of the vehicle. These medications included controlled substances such as Tramadol, Fentermina, Alprazolam, Clonazapam, Diazapam, Farmapram, Ampigran, and Sulfamethoxazole.
The seized bologna was destroyed by CBP agriculture specialists, and the medications, vehicle, and over $7,600 in concealed currency were confiscated by CBP officers. The woman involved in the smuggling attempt received a $1,000 civil penalty in connection with the incident.
