see also: in June 2007 News Releases:   CBP, ATF Join Canadians in Launching Firearms Public Information Campaign Along U.S.-Canadian Border   Marijuana-Embedded Bricks Crumble at El Paso Port   FDA, CBP Advise of Potential Health Risks from Unpasteurized Cheese After Large Cheese Seizures at Laredo Border   CBP Officers Discover Exotic Birds at California Border Station   U.S., New Zealand Establish Joint Trade Security Arrangement   CBP Reminds Pleasure Boaters of Reporting Requirements When Returning from Foreign Locations   California CBP Officers Find Smuggled Persons in Truck Engine Compartment ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists at the Hidalgo/Pharr port of entry yesterday seized a ton and a half of undeclared Mexican white cheese and more than 1,000 pounds of undeclared pork in an shipment referred for a routine examination.

CBP officers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge referred a northbound refrigerated tractor trailer hauling an in-bond shipment of sour cream, cheese spread and corn husks for a secondary examination. During the examination, a non-intrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies within the trailer. Upon further examination, CBP officers, agriculture specialists and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officers discovered commercial quantities of unmanifested, undeclared and prohibited items including 3,033 pounds of Mexican white cheese and 1,065 pounds of pork.

CBP officers seized the undeclared pork and cheese and assessed a $7,633 penalty. The manifested shipment of sour cream, cheese spread and corn husks was released.

While cheese is permissible to enter the country in commercial quantities provided the importation is made through a commercial cargo facility in compliance with all CBP and FDA regulations, failing to properly manifest and declare the cheese is not permissible and the cheese is subject to seizure. Raw or frozen pork is prohibited from entry in any quantity.

“Our frontline officers in the cargo environment maintained their vigilance and by working together with their counterparts in FDA they were able to seize a significant quantity of prohibited pork and unmanifested cheese,” said David Higgerson, CBP Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr Port of Entry. “Their perseverance helps prevent the potential spread of diseases and bacteria that are often carried in these food products to the U.S. population.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.