That’s a lot of bologna: Border agents seize 150 pounds coming into El Paso from Mexico

EL PASO, Texas -- More than 150 pounds of contraband Mexican bologna was seized at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso earlier this week.

A man was driving through the Bridge of Americas crossing and told U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents that he was carrying frozen rolls of turkey ham.

But officials said when they searched the Chevrolet pickup truck with Texas license plates, they found 154 pounds of Mexican bologna stashed behind the rear seat.

Officials said the bologna was seized and destroyed and the driver was released.

Bologna is considered contraband because of its potential to introduce foreign diseases into the U.S. pork industry, according to the CBP.

CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good said travelers can avoid potential fines and penalties by declaring all items they are transporting from Mexico.

"A properly declared prohibited item can be abandoned at the port without consequence," she said.

This marked the second major contraband bologna seizure in recent years at the El Paso border. In December of 2017, CBP agents seized 227 pounds of Mexican bologna at the Paso Del Norte port of entry.