COLUMBUS, N.M. — On February 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Columbus port of entry seized 22 rolls of Mexican bologna. The weight of the contraband meat was 194 pounds.
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.
The seizure was made at 8 a.m. when a 2019 Nissan Rogue being driven by a 49-year-old legal permanent resident from Albuquerque entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers performing an inspection spotted multiple red rolls in the trunk/hatchback area of the vehicle. Additional rolls were found hidden inside luggage.
The bologna was seized and destroyed and the driver was assessed a $500 civil penalty.
“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.