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El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers performing anti-terrorism inspections at El Paso area ports of entry were kept busy this week with drug seizures, illegal immigration cases, prohibited food items, fugitive apprehensions and live birds.

On four separate occasions this week, CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry found live birds being transported from Mexico to the U.S. CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas encountered birds twice on Thursday. In one case an individual declared three roosters and two hens. In the other case, a traveler declared six hens. CBP officers at the Ysleta international crossing encountered a traveler with 10 live birds Monday while CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte crossings seized two live roosters Sunday.

“In all four cases the birds were declared to CBP so no penalties were assessed. The birds were seized and turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said William Molaski, CBP El Paso port firector. “In most cases the importation of live birds is prohibited because they have the potential to introduce disease to the U.S.”

CBP officers working at area ports made a total of 20 agriculture seizures during the previous seven day period. Violators paid $5,050 in fines associated with the seizures. Prohibited agricultural items seized this week included pork meat, bologna, chicharones, pork skins, oranges, tangerines, guavas, avocados, apples, mangos, potatoes and pomegranates.

Failure to declare prohibited items can result in a $300 penalty for an initial offense and $1,000 for a repeat violation. If properly declared, prohibited food items can generally be abandoned at the port of entry without consequence.

Area CBP officers made a total of 17 drug busts during the previous seven days. CBP officers confiscated 2,413 pounds of marijuana in those busts. The largest seizure of the week occurred Jan. 30 when CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas cargo facility discovered 957 pounds of marijuana encased in concrete sewer pipes.

CBP officers recorded 100 immigration violations at area ports this week. CBP officers nabbed 46 intended immigrants this week. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico.

CBP officers stopped 28 imposters because of thorough document exams. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico. Area CBP officers also identified 26 people who made false claims to U.S. citizenship, attempted to enter with counterfeit or altered documents, and those attempting to enter without inspection.

CBP officers working area ports of entry apprehended a total of 30 fugitives this week. They also made one steroid seizure and recovered on stolen vehicle. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

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.