A man was fined $500 for trying to smuggle 194 pounds of Mexican bologna across the southern border, federal authorities said.
The 49-year-old New Mexico resident was caught by authorities at the Columbus port of entry at about 8 a.m. Sunday, according to Customs and Border Protection.
CBP agriculture specialists working the crossing found 22 rolls of contraband bologna inside the man’s 2019 Nissan Rogue.
Bologna cannot be brought across the border since it’s made from pork and can potentially introduce foreign animal diseases to the US pork industry, CBP said.
Authorities confiscated and destroyed the black-market meat.
“It is important that travelers understand they should declare all items they are transporting from abroad to avoid fines and penalties,” said CBP Columbus Port Director Tony Hall.
“A properly declared prohibited item can be abandoned at the port without consequence.”