CBP confiscates banned fruits and leaves at Hidalgo bridge

HIDALGO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a large quantity of prohibited and undeclared fruits and fresh plant leaves at the Hidalgo International Bridge.

On July 24, CBP officers stationed at the Hidalgo International Bridge referred a vehicle to a secondary inspection, according to a news release from CBP.

During the inspection, the driver failed to notify officers of any prohibited items.

(Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Officers found an ice chest with the following items:

• Six propagative roots
• 1 kg of fresh avocado leaves
• 1 kg of fresh mango leaves
• 1 kg of fresh guava leaves
• 1 kg of pork chorizo
• Two soursop
• 1 kg of mango pulp
• 1 kg of nances
• Two apples
• 1 kg of pork meat
• Eight propagative plant units
• 5 kg of soil

All the items are prohibited from entering the United States, the release stated. All the items were seized, inspected for pests and diseases and destroyed.

The driver was issued a $300 fine for failing to declare prohibited agricultural items, according to the release.

CBP would like to remind travelers that if you are unaware that a certain item can be brought into the country, ask the CBP officer at the primary inspection or contact your local port of entry before you apply for entry with the item or items in question.

For a full list of prohibited and restricted items, visit the U.S. CBP website.