EL PASO, TEXAS – US Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists recently seized 320 lbs of pork bologna and 30 lbs of turkey ham at the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing. A CBP officer discovered the contraband while inspecting a 2012 Honda Odyssey driven by a 20-year-old US citizen from El Paso, Texas.

The officer saw what appeared to be meat products hidden in the back seat.

“With the recent detection of the African swine fever in the Dominican Republic, it is important that no pork products are brought into the US,” said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso director of Field Operations. “Pork products have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases that can be detrimental to our agriculture industry.”

The CBP officer referred the car for a secondary inspection after receiving a negative declaration for fruits, meats, vegetables, plants, and live animals. A subsequent search of the vehicle by Agriculture Specialists led to the discovery of 31 rolls of bologna and two rolls of turkey ham concealed by blankets, under the seats, center console and inside a duffel bag, the agency said.

The individual admitted the bologna was for resale in the United States and was issued a $1,000 civil penalty. The products were seized and destroyed by CBP.

In July, African swine fever was confirmed in the Western Hemisphere for the first time in 40 years. Since then, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced preparations to establish Foreign Animal Disease protection zones. Industry associations also have offered webinars with USDA-APHIS officials and other agencies to communicate activities aimed at keeping ASF out of the United States.