Southwest
CBP in Texas confiscates 242 pounds of smuggled Mexican bologna at port of entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in El Paso, Texas arrested a man for the second time last week, after he allegedly tried to smuggle 22 large rolls of Mexican bologna into the country, according to authorities.
CBP said agricultural specialists assigned to the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso not only seized 22 large rolls of the prohibited pork bologna on March 28, but they also seized 60 undeclared Tramadol tablets from the man’s vehicle.
The discovery was made just after 2 a.m. on Friday, when a 52-year-old man, who is a citizen of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered the U.S. and presented himself for inspection in the vehicle lanes of the port.
CBP said the man made a negative declaration for fruits, vegetables and meat products, then was referred for a secondary agriculture inspection.
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CBP agricultural specialists seized and destroyed 22 large rolls of Mexican bologna that was discovered after a man tried to smuggle it into the U.S. for a second time in two months. (US Customs and Border Protection)
As agents conducted the secondary inspection, CBP Agriculture canine “Harlee” alerted them to the rear cargo area of the man’s vehicle.
Agents continued to inspect the vehicle when they located 22 rolls of bologna hidden underneath equipment in the cargo area of the vehicle.
CBP seized the bologna and destroyed it according to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations.
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CBP agricultural specialists seized and destroyed 22 large rolls of Mexican bologna that was discovered after a man tried to smuggle it into the U.S. for a second time in two months. (US Customs and Border Protection)
This marks the second time within two months that the same man was caught attempting to smuggle bologna into the U.S. at the El Paso port.
CBP agriculture specialists seized 55 rolls of undeclared bologna from the man in January, and he was assessed a civil penalty. At that time, the agents also seized and destroyed the contraband meat.
The inspection also uncovered 60 Tramadol tablets in the center console of the vehicle.
WOMAN CAUGHT SMUGGLING MORE THAN 700 POUNDS OF BOLOGNA AT SOUTHERN BORDER: CBP
People and vehicles pass over the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry bridge which connects the United States and Mexico on January 19, 2019 in El Paso, Texas (Getty Images)
The driver, who was not identified, was issued a $1,000 promissory note for the prescription medication violation since Tramadol is a schedule IV-controlled substance.
If the man is found guilty, he could face a fine of up to $10,000.
“Pork products have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases to the U.S. which can have a devastating impact to the U.S. economy and to our agriculture industry,” CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha said. “It is always best for travelers to declare any items acquired abroad to help CBP stop the introduction of potentially harmful products.”
The case was referred to the USDA Investigative and Enforcement Services, which enforces alleged violations connected to plant and animal issues.
The USDA and Department of Homeland Security work together to protect American agriculture when it comes to the introduction of pests and diseases at U.S. ports of entry.
If any undeclared prohibited agricultural items are discovered in an inspection, they could be confiscated and may result in civil penalties for failing to declare the items.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach
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Los Angeles, Ca
Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
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