Officials working along the border near El Paso recently seized some contraband someone tried to smuggle in, and it was a bunch of bologna.

The agriculture specialists assigned to the border crossings at Paso Del Norte and Ysleta seized 243 pounds of prohibited pork bologna on two separate, unrelated incidents, according to a press release by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Pork products have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases that can have devastating effects to the U.S. economy and to our agriculture industry,” said Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “We ask travelers to declare any items acquired abroad so we can prevent the introduction of potentially harmful products.”

The first find of a bologna shipment was on January 13th. A US resident pulled up in his vehicle for inspection at the Paso Del Norte border crossing. After saying he didn't have any fruits, vegetables, or meat products, the driver was referred for a secondary inspection.

That's when the Agriculture specialists found five rolls of undeclared Mexican bologna hidden under a few bags of chips. They were also found in the trunk and under the seats of the vehicle. A total of 55 pounds of meat were discovered. The driver explained that he sells the bologna for double the price of its worth in Mexico once he brings it to the US.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists
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The second bust came at the Ysleta crossing on January 21st, when another US resident (this time from Colorado), showed up for inspection. Again, this driver denied having any fruits, vegetables, or meat products.

A secondary inspection turned up 19 rolls of pork bologna weighing 188 pounds under the rear back seat, inside duvet cover liners, and luggage.

Both drivers were issued citations of $1,000 for failure to declare commercial quantities of bologna. It was destroyed under USDA regulations.

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