PHARR, Texas — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility seized 34,286 pounds (15,552kg) of sweetened condensed milk, in an alleged fraudulent entry attempt.
“CBP is committed to the health and safety of the American agriculture resources, which is why our agriculture specialists scrutinize all documents for consumable goods entering the United States,” said Carlos Rodriguez Port Director , Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
According to a CBP press release, on Oct. 28, officers encountered a tractor trailer making entry from Mexico, with a shipment manifested as, “canned cream or milk substitute”. The shipment was sent in for further inspection as additional requirements must be met to import these goods. At the inspection dock, agriculture specialists reviewed the documentation and after additional inspection and review it could not readily be determined if the certificate was authentic.
A Zoosanitary Certificate, issued by the Mexican Government, is required for shipments with products and byproducts of animal origin to make entry to the United States. This shipment containing cow’s milk requires a Zoosanitary Certificate which certifies the product to be free from foot and mouth disease and did not traverse through a country with risk of foot and mouth disease.
The shipment was held pending investigation of the Zoosanitary certificate. With assistance from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), contact was made with Mexican government officials who confirmed that the certificate was not issued by them and therefore fraudulent.
On Nov. 26, the determination was made to seize the tractor trailer and shipment. A total of 18 pallets, loaded with 48 boxes, for a total of 864 containers of sweetened condensed milk were seized pending destruction. USDA Investigative and Enforcement Services initiated an investigation.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
