U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists have intercepted a significant quantity of prohibited fruit at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas. The discovery included over 200 mangos and seven kilograms of nances, a tropical fruit from Central and South America.
The seizure took place on May 2 when CBP officers directed a Ford F-150 pickup to secondary inspection. A CBP Agriculture Quarantine Inspection canine alerted officers to the vehicle's contents. Upon further examination, the officers found a commercial quantity of prohibited fruits inside the vehicle and its luggage.
Port Director Albert Flores commented on the incident: “Our frontline CBP officers and agriculture specialists maintain strict vigilance as they conduct their examinations and they encountered a commercial quantity of prohibited fruit.” He added that such seizures underscore CBP’s commitment to safeguarding American agriculture from potential threats posed by plant pests and animal diseases.
The driver received a $1,000 civil penalty for attempting to bring undeclared commercial quantities of these fruits into the United States. According to CBP, fines for such violations can range from $300 to $1,000.
CBP's role includes enforcing United States Department of Agriculture quarantines designed to prevent harmful pests and diseases from entering the country. The agency warns that bringing in prohibited agricultural items may lead to traveler delays in addition to financial penalties.
CBP is recognized as America's largest law enforcement organization with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting national borders across land, air, and sea. The agency aims to facilitate safe travel and trade while ensuring economic prosperity through security measures based on innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.
For updates on similar events or other news related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities in South Texas, follow @DFOLaredo or @CBPSouthTexas on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
