Agents seize 230 pounds of cheese at NM port
Agents working New Mexico border checkpoint seize 230 pounds of cheese
SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) -- Federal agents working the Santa Teresa port of entry say they seized 230 pounds of cheese during a recent stop.
Authorities say the contraband queso was confiscated because it was determined to be a commercial-sized import. Individuals can bring across personal quantities of cheese, but officials say that's more in the range of about 10 pounds.
The port's director, Joane Thale-Lembo, says the shipment was seized and destroyed.
The cheese was found Friday in a pickup truck that had crossed from Mexico. It was inside three large ice chests.
A $300 civil penalty was levied against the driver, identified only as a 50-year-old resident of Colorado.
