ARIZONA: A woman was caught trying to smuggle 14 pounds of pork wrapped in diapers into the United States from Sinaloa, Mexico, according to federal customs officials.
The pork was discovered Aug. 5 during a routine inspection of a commercial bus at the Mariposa crossing of the Port of Nogales by agricultural specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a CBP statement.
The owner of the suitcase that was carrying the pork was fined $300 and let go. The pork-filled diapers were incinerated, CBP said.
“Agriculture specialists in Nogales are always observant to prevent the introduction of prohibited agricultural products,” Nogales-area Port Director Luz Garlarza was quoted as saying in the statement. “This includes pork meat and pork products, which could lead to the introduction of animal diseases like Classical Swine Fever.”
CBP said some prohibited items when crossing the border include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials. These items must be declared upon reaching the border. If they are not permitted, they can be left at the border, according to CBP.
