Illegal Tamales Seized at LAX

Federal inspectors at Los Angeles International Airport seized 450 pork meat tamales being brought into the country illegally from Mexico, authorities reported Wednesday.

“Although tamales are a popular holiday tradition, foreign meat products can carry serious animal diseases ...,” said Anne Maricich of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Every day, CBP agriculture specialists prevent the intentional and unintentional introduction of harmful pests and foreign animal diseases into the U.S.,” she said.

The seizure was made on Nov. 2 from a man who was bringing the tamales into the country in his luggage. He was fined $1,000 for “commercial activity with the intent to distribute,” and the tamales were destroyed.

City News Service