U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have confiscated nearly 15,000 pounds of prohibited hog plums and passion fruit in Texas.
CBP officers and agriculture specialists at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered the massive haul on October 20.
Fresh hog plums and fresh passion fruit are strictly prohibited from entry to the U.S. as they can harbor pests like fruit flies, potentially devastating local agriculture.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Officers stationed at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor-trailer arriving from Mexico.
The shipment was manifested as fresh lime and chayote.
A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further examination, which included the utilization of a non-intrusive inspection and screening by a CBP canine team.
During a further inspection of the shipment, officers discovered paper-wrapped produce in enclosed boxes with fresh fruit that did not align with what was manifested.
The shipment was held so that CBP agriculture specialists could submit samples to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for identification.
The shipment was identified the following day by the USDA as hog plums and passion fruit.
CBP officers seized the fresh fruit after intercepting the massive haul of prohibited produce.
Officials then destroyed it to prevent it from damaging local agriculture. The driver was issued a $5,000 fine.
USDA Investigative and Enforcement Services have since launched an investigation.
“Our mission to safeguard American agriculture is just as important as intercepting narcotics. Keeping prohibited pests and diseases from damaging American agriculture helps keep the costs of goods down,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
CBP agriculture specialists enforce USDA quarantines to prevent the entry of pests and diseases that could damage the agriculture industry in the U.S.
Attempting to bring in prohibited agricultural items could lead to traveler delays and may result in a large fine.
In March, CBP officers discovered nearly 500 pounds of mango after intercepting the massive haul of fruit. The driver was fined $1,000 for attempting to transport the shipment.
Meanwhile, border agents seized a massive haul of prohibited Mexican sausages inside a vehicle arriving from Mexico in September.
CBP agents at the Presidio Port of Entry confiscated 748 pounds of Mexican bologna.
Mexican bologna is classified as a prohibited product in the U.S. because it is made from pork and poses a risk of introducing foreign animal diseases to the American pork industry.
These diseases could potentially cause harm to livestock and disrupt the nation’s agricultural economy.
