Texas Woman Caught Smuggling 748 Pounds of Bologna

A 43-year-old American woman was caught attempting to smuggle 748 pounds of illegal Mexican bologna into the U.S. at the Presidio port of entry in Texas. Initially, she only declared a cooked meal during her inspection, but further scrutiny revealed the bologna hidden in suitcases, along with 280 boxes of undeclared prescription medications and over $7,600 in concealed cash. The bologna is prohibited because it is made from pork and poses a risk of introducing foreign animal diseases into the U.S. agriculture industry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials imposed a $1,000 civil penalty on the woman, who had her vehicle seized and all illegal items destroyed. CBP officials emphasized the importance of declaring all items when entering the U.S. to avoid penalties. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding border security and the risks associated with unregulated agricultural products.